The results are in!
Yesterday, the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show took place at New York City’s USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (for the second year in a row). Over 2,500 dogs of varying breeds and sizes competed for the top prize. But in the end, there could only be one winner. And that lucky pup who took home the Best in Show title was—drumroll, please—Sage the Miniature Poodle.
In the Best in Show category, per The New York Times, Sage the Miniature Poodle competed against some worthy opponents, including Louis the Afghan Hound of the Hound Group, Mercedes the German Shepherd of the Herding Group and Comet the Shih Tzu of the Toy Group. But the female Miniature Poodle, who resides in Houston, Texas, emerged victorious.
Sage the Miniature Poodle, who also goes by her show name, GCHG CH Surrey Sage, was joined by her dog handler, Kaz Hosaka. In addition, professional dog handler/Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show judge Rosalind Kramer named Mercedes the German Shepherd as the Reserve Best in Show (aka Westminster’s runner-up title).
Last year, Buddy Holly the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen was awarded the grand prize for the Best in Show category. At the time, Beth Sweigart, who was one of the judges, said a few words to the runner-ups. “I want to thank the dogs themselves, who give so much to our lives,” Sweigart said, according to People.
The dog’s owner/handler, Janice Hayes, also shared how excited she was for Buddy Holly to win first place, saying, “I never thought a PBGV would do this. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was 9 years old.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s dogs!
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