Westminster Dog Show 2022: Trumpet the bloodhound wins Best in Show

America's biggest dog show's finale has wrapped up

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  Trumpet the bloodhound, with his handler Heather Helmer, after winning Best in Show at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York. Reuters

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  Trumpet also won in the Hound category. AP Photo

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  The judges love his floppy ears and facial folds. Reuters

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  A handler celebrates with MM, a Lakeland terrier, after winning the terrier group at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. AP

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  A miniature bull terrier is given a treat after entering the arena for the Terrier group judging event. AFP

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  An American hairless terrier competes in the Terrier group judging event. AFP

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  A Dandie Dinmont terrier is looked over by a judge. AFP

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  The Dandie Dinmont terrier is run in the ring during judging. Reuters

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  A Skye terrier competes. Getty Images

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  A Bedlington terrier competes. Getty Images

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  Striker, a Samoyed, wins in the Working group. AP

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  A coloured bull terrier competes. Getty Images

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  MM, the winner in the Terrier group. AP

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  A wire fox terrier is run in the ring. Reuters

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  A Tibetan mastiff competes in the Working group. AP

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  A Neapolitan mastiff competes in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  Dog owners prepare to participate in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  A handler runs a Newfoundland dog during judging in the Working group. Reuters

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  A boxer competes in the Working group judging event. Getty Images

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  A Komondor in the ring during the Working group judging. AFP

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  Belle, an English setter, wins in the sporting group. AP

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  An Ascob (which stands for 'any solid colour other than black') cocker spaniel competes in the Sporting group. AP

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  A parti-colour cocker spaniel competes in the Sporting group judging event. AFP

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  Handler Lenny Brown runs with River, a German shepherd dog who won Best in Breed during judging, and the Herding category. Reuters

It was the floppy ears and soft facial folds that won judges over this year at the Westminster Dog Show, as Trumpet the bloodhound bagged the Best in Show award at America's biggest and most beloved annual canine event.

Trumpet also came top of the Hound category and beat six other finalists to take the top gong.

Bloodhounds hunt by scent and are one of the oldest dog breeds to do so, according to the Westminster Kennel Club.

Other finalists included MM, the Lakeland terrier aged 6, who won the Terrier group; Striker the Samoyed, who came top of the working group; Belle the English setter who bested the rest in the Sporting group; Winston the bulldog, who beat 20 other dogs in the Non-sporting category; Hollywood the Maltese, top of the Toy group; and River the German shepherd, king of the Herding category.

Hollywood beat several other tiny pooches, including Porsche, the first Russian toy dog to make it to the semi-finals. "A favourite breed of the Russian aristocracy, the Russian toy can have a smooth or long coat," says the Westminster Dog Kennel. "Their large round eyes and high-set ears contribute to their bright, attentive expression. They are known for their playfulness and devotion as companion dogs and enjoy participating in a variety of dog sports or just snuggling in your lap."

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was originally scheduled to take place in January, at Madison Square Garden, New York, but it was delayed owing to a spike in coronavirus cases.

It took place on Wednesday night at a mansion in Tarrytown, New York, instead.

Nearly 3,500 pooches competed for the title of Best in Show at the 146th event.