Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, made history Tuesday night in New York, claiming the “best in show” at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Buddy Holly is first of its breed to take top honors since best in show was first awarded in 1907. (No best in show was awarded in 1923.) His competition included Rummie the Pekingese (who placed second “reserve best in show”), Winston the French bulldog, Ribbon the Australian shepherd and three other finalists selected Tuesday.
Nearly four dozen breeds have been honored in the 114 the best in show competitions, but one breed, the wire fox terrier, has won throughout the decades.
Which breeds have won at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show
Terriers were originally bred to hunt vermin, but now stalk best in show medals at Westminster. Rebel and Proud Party Crasher, an American Staffordshire terrier, represented the terriers Tuesday night. At least one breed of terrier – admittedly a broad category – has won 42% of the best in show honors.
Thirty-three other breeds have won best in show, including several poodle breeds, several English Springer Spaniels, a bloodhound for the first time in 2022 competition and a PBGV for the first time this year.
All the other breeds that have won best in show
Complete list of all of the Westminster best in show winners
While owners often spend thousands of dollars to prepare their dogs for the prestigious, there is no monetary compensation for being the top dog. But they certainly don’t go home empty-handed, according to Westminster Kennel Club site.
What do Westminster best in show winners receive?
- A Pewter Trophy
- The Westminster Legen Trophy, a hand-engraved Steuben crystal bowl
- The James Mortimer Memorial Sterling Silver Trophy, if American-bred.
- Perpetual Sterling Silver Challenge Cup, if American-bred