What a night! What drama! Yet in the end it was an unsurprising winner as the King becomes the 15th of his breed to be named America’s top dog. He was shown by Gabriel Rangel, who is now a three-time best in show winner as a handler. That’s one short of the all-time record of four shared by … Peter J Green, who made tonight’s final decision.
That’s all for now. Thanks as always for following along with us and be sure to check a full report of the night here.
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King the Wire Fox Terrier wins Best in Show!
A bit of a tepid reaction from the crowd as this building was ready to explode if either Burns or Bean was named the winner. Instead it’s King, who becomes the 15th Wire Fox Terrier to win the top prize. That’s most of any breed … by far. The next closest is the Scottish Terrier with eight.
IT'S THE WIRE FOX TERRIER!
— FS1 (@FS1) February 13, 2019
"KING" is the 2019 #WKCDogShow Best in Show! @ProPlan pic.twitter.com/UuOHUwgfTy
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Reserve Best in Show winner: Bono the Havanese!
Bono the Havanese wins Reserve Best in Show! And there’s only one thing left to decide ...
Green has made his decision and he’s heading to the officials’ table to notify them before letting the handlers and spectators know. First the Reserve Best in Show will be announced ... sort of a runner up. Then the big prize.
“They all look beautiful,” a microphone catches him saying.
The dogs and their handlers step forward and Green is having a final look. The crowd is buzzing. They come alive as he moves in front of the Longhaired Dachshund. And he’s going to send them around again, one by one: first the Bouvier Des Flandres, then the Boxer, then the Sussex Spaniel, then the Dachshund (big pop!), then the Wire Fox Terrier and finally the Havanese.
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Green continues down the line. The biggest crowd reaction is clearly for Bean the Sussex Spaniel and Burns the Longhaired Dachshund, who can break a centuries-spanning hoodoo if he wins. No Dachshund of any variety has ever won Best in Show.
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The final assessment begins. First to make the circuit is Baby Lars the Bouvier Des Flandres, followed by Wilma the Boxer and the others. Finally, the public-address announcer reveals the conflict of interest and that Colton the Schipperke – but only after he’s given his lap of honor.
Omg COLTON. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/LzI3GDc7N5
— Amy B Wang (@amybwang) February 13, 2019
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The lights go down, the crowd swells and seven group winners are announced into the arena one by one. The biggest crowd reaction is for Bean the Sussex Spaniel, who enters third and struts onto the Madison Square Garden floor to cascades of applause from the upper reaches of the arena. Burns the Longhaired Dachshund is right behind him, though.
Indeed, Colton the Schipperke is introduced seventh despite being ineligible for Best in Show (even though no one in the crowd has been made aware unless they’ve been checking the news on their phones). I guess they’re letting him trot.
Nearly 2,800 dogs from 203 breeds and varieties and 50 different states and 14 foreign countries came to New York with a dream, but only one will come away with the title of Best in Show. The moment of truth is here as Green steps forward to inspect the septet.
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The judge tasked with conferring Best in Show honors to one of these magnificent six dogs is Mr Peter J Green of Bowmansville, Pennsylvania. A native of Wales with more than 60 years of experience as an owner, breeder and professional handler, Green will make the final decision (though his unclear role in Colton’s abrupt ineligibility will no doubt be a talking point in tonight’s aftermath).
Green, who emigrated to the US permanently in 1963, is regarded by many as the most accomplished dog handler in the sport today. He’s helmed a record-tying four Best in Show winners at Westminster (1968, 1977, 1994, and 1998) and another a Crufts (2005), making him one of only two handlers to steer a dog to the top prize at both prestigious events. He’s also a nine-time winner at the vererable Montgomery County Kennel Club Terrier Show in Pennsylvania.
He began his judging career after retiring from the ring in 2006. And with tonight’s assignment Green will make even more history: he will become the first person ever to have handled and judged a Best in Show winner at Westminster and Crufts. How’s that for a pub trivia trump card?
The final six
King the Wire Fox Terrier wins the Terrier group and the final field of six for Best in Show is set. They are ...
- Burns the Longhaired Dachshund, winner of the Hound group
- Bono the Havanese, winner of the Toy group
- Baby Lars the Bouvier Des Flandres, winner of the Herding group
- Bean the Sussex Spaniel, winner of the Sporting group
- Wilma the Boxer, winner of the Working group
- King the Wire Fox Terrier, winner of the Terrier group
Oddly enough, there’s a placard for the Schipperke on the floor. They’ve made no public announcement of Colton’s disqualification. Will be interesting to see how this is handled.
They're setting up for Best in Show in MSG, where no public announcement of Colton the Schipperke's disqualification has been made, and there's a Schipperke placard on the floor. pic.twitter.com/dfFJc5fgVj
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) February 13, 2019
Terrier group winner: King the Wire Fox Terrier!
And King wins the Terrier group, continuing the breed’s longtime supremacy at Westminster!
The winner of the #Terrier group is King the Wire Fox Terrier! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/NUVdXkmZnN
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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Ms Christine Erickson will judge the Terrier group. She’s handpicked a large group with lots of variety and quality including the Wire Fox, Jack Russell, American Staffordshire, Scottie, Wheaton, Skye and a few others I can’t quite spot from press row. They circle the ring once … and again …
Updated
Great work by Amy B Wang of the Washington Post in tracking down a Facebook post from Colton’s handler, shedding light on his disqualification. Read the entire thing here. Meanwhile, the Terrier group is finished and we’ll have a winner shortly.
A hearty reception for Carmen the Scottish Terrier. This breed, aside from being the most popular US presidential pet, is the second most decorated breed in Westminster’s 142-year annals with eight Best in Shows. An even bigger reaction moments later for Crawford, a beautiful Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier.
Big pop for Isaac the Norwich Terrier. Probably the biggest reaction of this group from the crowd, whose energy has seemed to dip over the last half hour.
Norwich Terriers are alert, curious, and affectionate. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/VWMIn93U3p
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
So many good girls and good boys in this group! The Wire Fox Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Terrier and Kerry Blue Terrier take us into a commercial break. One last run after we return, after which we’ll have our Terrier group winner ... and our completed field of six for Best in Show.
After a few more here’s the Debit the Smooth Fox Terrier. Herbert Hoover owned two of them. The breed has won Best in Show four times but none since 1910. And it’s a bit deceiving considering the same Smooth Fox – Ch Warren Remedy – accounts for three of them. In fact, that lovely canine remains the only dog to win Best in Show three times at Westminster.
We’re breezing through the Terriers now: Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Colored Bull Terrier, White Bull Terrier and Cairn Terrier. You might remember the latter from The Wizard of Oz.
The Cairn Terrier are cheerful, alert and busy. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/k7YkUvY1kd
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
We’re off and running in the final group. It’s the Airedale Terrier, the American Hairless Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, then a gorgeous Australian Terrier named Bacon, who won the highly competitive Montgomery County Kennel Club Terrier Show in Pennsylvania.
The Australian Terrier is the first Australian-bred dog to be recognized and shown in Australia. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/tNGDeZZygr
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
Now it’s the Terrier group, the group that’s produced the most Best in Show winners in Westminster history by quite a bit. Ms Christine Erickson (Mesa, Arizona) will judge. Here’s what the AKC has to say about these fine animals:
People familiar with this group invariably comment on the distinctive terrier personality. These are feisty, energetic dogs whose sizes range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the grand Airedale Terrier. Terriers typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs. Their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. Many continue to project the attitude that they’re always eager for a spirited argument. Most terriers have wiry coats that require special grooming known as stripping in order to maintain a characteristic appearance. In general, they make engaging pets, but require owners with the determination to match their dogs’ lively characters.
May we have the #Terrier group! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/7hgYnkwh7T
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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So here’s where things stand. Five of the six dogs who will compete for Best in Show have been chosen.
- Burns the Longhaired Dachshund, winner of the Hound group
- Bono the Havanese, winner of the Toy group
- Baby Lars the Bouvier Des Flandres, winner of the Herding group
- Bean the Sussex Spaniel, winner of the Sporting group
- Wilma the Boxer, winner of the Working group
All that remains to fill out the field of six is the winner of the Terrier group, which is coming up next.
This guy is sitting in the front row, dead center. I have so many questions.
Working group winner: Wilma the Boxer!
And the Boxer bitch takes it! Wilma wins the Working group. She’s won 57 Best in Shows in her career, but none would be bigger than tonight. It’s the third time the breed has won the group in the last four years. Says handler Michael Shepherd: “It’s the stuff you dream of.”
The winner of the Working group is Wonderful Wilma the Boxer! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/SzQjiBJbKe
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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And now Mr James Moses will judge. He’s picked out the Akita, the Cane Corso, the Pyrenees, the Rottweiler, the Siberian Husky, the Portuguese Water Dog … a few others. Oh boy. The tension is high!
Swells of applause from the crowd for Aristo the St Bernard, a New Jersey dog with hometown support. One to keep an eye on. Nick the Siberian Husky, the top-ranked in his breed, also prompts a big reaction. After Bolt the Standard Schnauzer and Joanah the English Setter, it’s going to be in the hands of the judge ....
After Peyton the Great Pyrenees and Beatrice the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, it’s Addison the Komondor! This mop-looking dog, an ancient breed regarded as the king of the Hungarian livestock guardians, is always a crowd favorite and tonight is no exception. Moments later it’s another lusty roar for Maximus, the Neapolitan Mastiff who tips the scales at 165lbs and whose favorite snack is filet mignon. He’s perfectly named and certainly one to watch ...
The #Komondor is dignified, brave and loyal. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/7M8O42gNby
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
Another commercial break as we pause at the halfway point of the Working group. And it seems the Westminster Kennel Club has released an official statement addressing Colton’s disqualification.
Here’s Westminster’s official statement on Colton the Schipperke being disqualified bc of a judge’s conflict of interest. Unfortunately, runner-ups don’t compete in Best in Show even in an event like this. More here #WKCDogShow https://t.co/5aAPZdl7z3 pic.twitter.com/LZBJQMT8jK
— Amy B Wang (@amybwang) February 13, 2019
After the Black Russian Terrier and Boerboel ... it’s Wilma the Boxer from Aubrey, Texas! She takes the arena to hearty cheers. The breed has done quite well at Westminster in recent years, most recently when a beauty named Devlin won the group in 2017 and finished second one year earlier.
First it’s Nick the Akita, who is retiring today as the winningest Akita in history. He’s followed by the Alaskan Malamute and Anatolian Shepherd Dog. Then a swell of applause for the Damon the Bernese Mountain Dog! What a good boy!
The Bernese Mountain Dog is good-natured, calm and strong. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/3eeEHLpeL1
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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Now it’s the Working group. They will be judged by Mr James Moses (Wentzville, Missouri). Here’s what the American Kennel Club has to say about these fine, fine canines:
Dogs of the Working group were bred to perform such jobs as guarding property, pulling sleds and performing water rescues. They have been invaluable assets to man throughout the ages. The Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky and Great Dane are included in this group, to name just a few. Quick to learn, these intelligent, capable animals make solid companions. Their considerable dimensions and strength alone, however, make many working dogs unsuitable as pets for average families. And again, by virtue of their size alone, these dogs must be properly trained.
May we have the #Working group in the ring! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/FBCZWv9fXi
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
Updated
So here’s where things stand. Four of the six dogs who will compete for Best in Show have been determined. Let it be said: the Killer B’s are on the swarm!
- Burns the Longhaired Dachshund, winner of the Hound group
- Bono the Havanese, winner of the Toy group
- Baby Lars the Bouvier Des Flandres, winner of the Herding group
- Bean the Sussex Spaniel, winner of the Sporting group
All that remains to fill out that field are the winners of the Working group and the Terrier group.
If you’re joining us late and wondering what happened to Colton the Schipperke, last night’s winner of the Non-Sporting group, he was ruled ineligible shortly before tonight’s group judging due to an ownership conflict. Scandal!
Updated
Sporting group winner: Bean the Sussex Spaniel!
Bean the Sussex Spaniel wins the Sporting group for the second year in a row! The crowd goes wild! We have our first winner of the night and handler Per Ingar Rismyhr couldn’t be more thrilled.
“BEAN” Advances!
— FS1 (@FS1) February 13, 2019
The Sussex Spaniel wins the Sporting Group and will compete for Best in Show at the #WKCDogShow! pic.twitter.com/RtHnV1x6NQ
The winner of the Sporting Group is Bean the Sussex Spaniel! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/VbRNHCchrv
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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Mr Douglas Johnson is narrowing the field. I’m seeing the English Setter, the Irish Setter, the American Water Spaniel, the Springer Spaniel, the Black Cocker Spaniel and the Sussex, who is clearly the crowd favorite.
After the Spinone Italiano, it’s the Vizsla. This particular Vizsla is apparently part-owned by Gary Dell’Abate (a/k/a Baba Booey) of Howard Stern Show fame. And after the Weimaraner, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and Wirehaired Vizsla ... we’re down to crunch time.
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Spaniel run! The Clumber, Black Cocker, Ascob Cocker, Parti-Color Cocker, English Cocker, English Springer, Field, Irish Water, Sussex and Water Springer. Spaniels have historically enjoyed great success at Westminster ever since a Parti-Color called Ch Midkiff Miracle Man won the group in the first year it was judged in 1924.
Big cheers for the seven-year-old Sussex Spaniel named Bean, who won the Sporting group last year and is looking to repeat ... and perhaps go one step further to Best in Show.
Here’s Bean! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/99HGObLiNU
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 14, 2018
Notably, English Springer Spaniels have won the group 15 times, most recently in 2015.
Updated
We’re back from a commercial break midway through the Sporting group. Next up is the American Water Spaniel, one of the few original American breeds and a versatile hunting dog, not to mention the official state dog of Wisconsin.
Now the Setters: English, Gordon, Irish and Irish Red & White, all of whom get warm receptions. The Irish Setter holds the competition record for most group placements (55) and most consecutive group placements (12, from 1933-44). Interestingly, however, an Irish Setter has never won Best in Show in 142 previous years.
Fun fact: famous English setter owners include Clark Gable, Brigitte Bardot and Annie Oakley.
No official word on tonight’s attendance but the entire lower bowl and most of the upper tiers looks appear nearly full, creating a terrific atmosphere for these fine, fine animals.
The English #Setter is over 400 years old. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/Q51rFWHQ8a
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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Biggest pop of the night so far is for the Golden Retriever. Goldens are the third most popular breed in the United States according to AKC registration. Alas, despite their popularity, a Golden Retriever has never won Westminster.
Next up is a trio of retrievers: the Chesapeake Bay, the Curly-Coated and the Flat-Coated. None of the three have ever been named Best in Show despite having been entered in the competition since 1877, 1926 and 1926, respectively (though a Flat-Coated Retriever did make the Best in Show finals once in 2001).
The Flat-Goat Retriever is named for it's flat-lying coat! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/Qp9kG1Va6e
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 13, 2019
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The first five to show are the Brittany, Lagotti Romagnoli, Pointer and German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer. The German Shorthaired Pointer has been entered in the competition since 1935, three times winning Best in Show (in 1974, 2005 and 2016).
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Colton the Schipperke has been ruled ineligible!
Strike the above! Colton the Schipperke has been ruled ineligible due to an ownership conflict with Peter Green, the Best in Show judge. This is not entriely unusual in the dog show world, though it’s rare at this level. It doesn’t take away from Colton’s Best of Breed or Best of Group win, but he won’t be advancing to the final round tonight. That means only six dogs will be competing for Best in Show later tonight rather than the usual seven.
First up tonight is the Sporting group. They will be judged by Mr Douglas Johnson of Bloomington, Indiana. This group has produced a total of 20 Best in Show winners through the years – second only to the Terrier group (46) – most recently the German shorthand pointer named CJ in 2016.
Here’s what the American Kennel Club has to say about the Sporting Group:
Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, well-rounded companions. Members of the group include pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels. Remarkable for their instincts in water and woods, many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities. Potential owners of Sporting dogs need to realize that most require regular, invigorating exercise.
Updated
There’s already a bit of history in the offing tonight. Specifically, none of the four breeds that have advanced to the final seven have ever won Best in Show.
Dachshunds, for all their popularity, have yet to bring home the top prize in the 142 years they’ve entered. Burns, the winningest longhaired dachshund in history, is only the second of his breed to even win the Hound group. The other? His great-grandfather Ben in 1998.
Schipperkes have been entered since 1891, but Colton’s surprise win on Monday marked the first time the small Belgian breed has ever won the group and reached the final round.
The Bouvier des Flandres has done slightly better with three appearances in the final septet, most recently in 2007. And no Havanese has ever won, though the national dog of Cuba didn’t first enter until 2000.
Four of the seven group winners who will compete for the title of Best in Show were decided on Monday night. The remaining three groups (Sporting, Working and Terrier) will be judged tonight in advance of the final round.
Burns the Longhaired Dachshund won the Hound group ...
The winner of the #Hound Group is Burns the Longhaired Dachshund! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/R291EpFFLr
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 12, 2019
... Bono the Havanese won the Toy group ...
The winner of the #Toy group is Bono the Havanese! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/2iZGxVoJRv
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 12, 2019
... Colton the Schipperke won the Non-Sporting group ...
The winner of the #NonSporting group is Colton the Schipperke! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/TeNPSTdwPO
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 12, 2019
... and Baby Lars the Bouvier Des Flandres won the Herding group.
The winner of the #Herding group is Baby Lars the Bouvier des Flandres! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/puB9DwNmS5
— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 12, 2019
Preamble
Hello and welcome to New York for the final night of Westminster! We’re ringside at Madison Square Garden for the 143rd edition of the nation’s most prestigious dog show, the oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States after the Kentucky Derby, and there’s an unmistakable electricity in the air as the title of America’s top dog will be chosen from the nearly 2,800 canines from 203 different breeds and varieties hailing from all 50 states and 14 other countries, including Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada and Japan.
Tonight one will emerge from the pack. Last year it was Flynn, the Bichon Frise. Who will bring home the hardware in 2019?
Bryan will be here shortly. While you wait, here’s his story on the Hotel Pennsylvania, the 100-year-old landmark across the street from Madison Square Garden which becomes a veritable hotel for dogs during Westminster week.
