NEW YORK (AP) — In a thrilling turn of events, Monty the giant schnauzer emerged victorious at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday night, after narrowly missing out on the title in previous years. Handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin was overwhelmed with emotion as she addressed the crowd at Madison Square Garden, expressing pride in Monty’s unwavering dedication.
Outshining six other finalists, Monty became the first of his breed to be named Westminster’s best in show, a significant achievement in the world of U.S. dog shows. Co-owner Sandy Nordstrom described Monty as bold, confident, and full of personality, attributing his success to his exceptional qualities.
Following his win at the American Kennel Club championship in December, Monty, now 5 years old, has decided to retire from showing, making this victory a memorable conclusion to his career. The runner-up for the third time was a whippet named Bourbon, with other notable finalists including a bichon frisé, a Skye terrier, and a shih tzu named Comet.
Each dog at Westminster is evaluated based on how well it represents its breed standard, with winners receiving accolades but no monetary reward. Amidst the excitement of the competition, an incident involving a protester being removed for disrupting the event was reported by animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Despite the intense competition, the Westminster Kennel Club celebrates all dogs and the various roles they play in people’s lives, from beloved pets to working dogs. The event showcases the diversity and beauty of different breeds, with spectators showing support for their favorites like Pekingese, Doberman pinschers, and Xoloitzcuintlis.
The Westminster Dog Show not only highlights the excellence of purebred dogs but also emphasizes the importance of canine companionship and the unique contributions dogs make to society. The event is a testament to the special bond between dogs and humans, showcasing the extraordinary talents and abilities of these loyal animals.
“Wow, they’re really special,” Belmont remarked while Brina snoozed comfortably in her crate, complete with a two-gallon (7.5-liter) water pail. At the same time, Tyra, the miniature bull terrier, confidently displayed her presence in the preliminary ring. Officially known as GCH CH Rnr’s Top Model, she was named after the famous fashion model Tyra Banks.
The resilient terrier breed is described as “a large dog in a small package, but they never fail to bring a smile to your face,” shared owner and co-breeder Jessica Harrison of Austin, Texas. When questioned about where mischievous Tyra falls on the mischief scale, Harrison chuckled, “definitely a nine.”
“You can’t help but adore them because they’re just so adorable,” she remarked as Tyra playfully rolled onto her back to enjoy a belly rub from a passerby at the Javits Center, the venue of the initial round of breed judging. In addition to the breed judging, Westminster also showcased agility and obedience championships, which took place on Saturday. The agility competition was won by a border collie named Vanish, while an Australian shepherd named Willie emerged victorious in the obedience category.
