Westminster Dog Show 2023: A Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Is Best in Show
Tuesday was history in the making for the breed, which had never taken the top spot before
Produced by: Tania Colon-Bosch
Cover image: Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Tuesday was history in the making for the breed, which had never taken the top spot before
The 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show—that’ll be the day for this Buddy Holly. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, a 6-year-old California resident, was the first of its breed to win best in show.
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The reserve best in show went to a Pekingese named Rummie. The toy breed group winner was one of seven dogs to qualify for the final round.
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The winner was crowned after several days of competitions in New York City. Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, topped the working group.
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The show is back in New York City for the first time since 2020. It took place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens after being held at an estate in Westchester County the past two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The dog show is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby, according to Westminster, beginning in 1877. It has been televised since 1948.
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The contest is held over two days, with dogs, like this standard poodle, getting primped and preened before seeing the judges.
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Trumpet won Best in Show last year, the first bloodhound to take the top prize.
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Winston, a French bulldog, won this year’s non-sporting group competition for the second year in a row. “He’s so beautiful,” said Perry Payson, one of Winston’s owners. “He just steals your heart, makes you smile.” He won reserve best in show last year.
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Competing canines are put into one of seven categories: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy and working. The Belgian malinois, for example, competes against other herding dogs.
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A smooth coat chihuahua stands on a table before the judges.
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Two basset hounds in sparkly suits sit in the benching area.
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A miniature poodle gets last-minute grooming.
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A Bergamasco, a breed with coarse ringlets on its body, competes before the judges.
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A black toy poodle struts for the judges.
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Cover image: Cindy Ord/Getty Images