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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Bryan Armen Graham at Madison Square Garden

Siba the standard poodle named Westminster's best in show – as it happened

Siba the standard poodle
Siba the standard poodle won the breed’s fifth best in show title overall and first since 1991. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

That’s all for now. Thanks for following along with us and be sure to check out our full report from the Garden.

Updated

Siba the standard poodle wins best in show!

And Siba takes it! It’s the fifth best in show title for a standard poodle and first since 1991.

Updated

Reserve best in show winner: Bourbon the whippet!

Bourbon the whippet in named reserve best in show. A bit of a surprise, perhaps. And there’s only one thing left to decide ...

Bourbon
A whippet named Bourbon is has been named reserve best in show. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Slay has made his decision and he’s heading to the officials’ table to notify them before letting the world know. First the Reserve Best in Show will be announced ... sort of a runner up. Then the big prize. While we wait, chants of “Dan-iel! Dan-iel!” ring through Madison Square Garden. They want the golden!

The final assessment begins. First to make the circuit is Wilma the boxer, who’s back in the final ring for the second year in a row. Next it’s Daniel the golden retriever, who prompts further roars from the crowd, followed by Siba the standard poodle, chic and in total command. Conrad the shetland sheepdog is next and he’s winning over the crowd with his bouncy gait and winning personality. Bourbon the whippet from Georgia is next followed by Vinny the wire fox terrier and Bono the havanese.

Wilma the boxer
Wilma the boxer bitch is among the seven finalists for best in show. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

The lights go down, the crowd swells and seven group winners are announced into the arena one by one. The biggest reaction is for Daniel the golden retriever, who enters second and struts onto the Madison Square Garden floor to cascades of applause from the upper reaches of the arena. A golden has never won the most prestigious title in the sport and it’s quite obvious this arena will explode if history is made tonight.

More than 2,500 dogs from 205 breeds and varieties 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 Slay steps forward to inspect the septet.

Updated

It’s nearly time! The judge tasked with conferring best in show honors to one of these magnificent six dogs is Mr Robert H Slay of Cary, North Carolina. Some more info on the chief arbiter, per the Westminster Kennel Club:

Mr Slay grew up in Southeastern Mississippi where his family owned a working farm and he gained respect and appreciation for several types of hunting dogs. Although he has owned several different breeds, he loved, bred and handled champion German Shepherd Dogs for many years. In 1964, while stationed in Charleston, South Carolina as an ensign in the United States Navy, he purchased his first German Shepherd Dog. She easily achieved her American Kennel Club championship and Mr. Slay was forever hooked on the sport. He was married to the late Jane Vassar “Candye” Slay and has one son and two grandchildren.

Mr Slay is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and the United States Naval Officers Candidate School. He served five years on active duty afterwards obtaining the rank of Commander in the Naval Reserves. In addition, he also attended the Yale University School of Executive Management Leadership Program. He has always been active in his community. Mr. Slay was elected to public office for three terms serving as chairman of one of the largest public-school systems in South Carolina. He chaired a United States Department of Energy Advisory Board for five years and served several years as the South Carolina State Chairman of the Morris Animal Foundation. He was also a member of the original steering committee for the AKC Museum of the Dog. In 1983, the North Carolina governor awarded his highest honor to Mr. Slay by inducting him into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society for service to his state and community.

The final seven

Vinny the wire fox terrier wins the group and the field of seven for best in show is set. They are ...

Vinny the wire fox terrier
Vinny the wire fox terrier competes during the 144th Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday night. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP

Terrier group winner: Vinny the wire fox terrier!

And Vinny wins the Terrier group, continuing the breed’s longtime supremacy at Westminster! A wire fox has won this group a total of 47 times down the years. And 15 of those have gone on to win best in show ... including King last year. Interestingly enough, a smattering of boos came down from the mezzanine when Mr Kenney pointed at Vinny.

Now it’s the Terrier group, the group that’s produced the most best in show winners in Westminster history by quite a bit. The judge will be Mr Norman B Kenney from Crossroads, Texas. Here’s what the AKC has to say about these canines:

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.

Clifford the Tibetan mastiff
Clifford the Tibetan mastiff takes part in the Working group competition on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Working group winner: Wilma the boxer!

Wilma the boxer bitch wins the Working group for the second year in a row!

Updated

Now it’s the Working group. They will be judged by Mr Jay Richardson of Elgin, Illinois. Here’s what the American Kennel Club has to say about these 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.

Westminster Kennel Club dog show
A weimaraner competes during 144th Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP

So here’s where things stand. Five of the seven dogs who will compete for best in show have been determined.

All that remains to fill out that field are the winners of the Working group and the Terrier group.

Daniel
Daniel is looking to become the golden retriever ever to win best in show at Westminster. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP

Updated

Sporting group winner: Daniel the golden retriever!

Daniel the golden retriever wins the Sporting group for the second year in a row! The crowd goes wild! We have our first winner of the night. Could this finally be the year the golden breaks through?

Updated

Unsurprisingly, the biggest cheers of the night have been for Daniel the golden retriever. Goldens are the third most popular breed in the United States according to AKC registration. Alas, despite their popularity, a golden has never won Westminster. Howie the clumber spaniel also drew a warm reception from the Garden crowd.

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 animals.

Updated

First up tonight is the Sporting group ... and we’re about halfway through. They will be judged by Ms Theresa L Hundt of Sandy Hook, Connecticut. This group has produced a total of 20 best in show winners through the years – second only to the Terrier group (47) – 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.

144th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show
A dog competes in the sporting group of the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden. Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Updated

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 showdown.

Bourbon the Whippet won the Hound group ...

... Bono the Havanese won the Toy group ...

... Siba the Standard Poodle won the Non-Sporting group ...

... and Conrad the Shetland Sheepdog won the Herding group.

Updated

Hello and welcome to the final night of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show! We’re ringside at Madison Square Garden for the 144rd edition of the nation’s most prestigious conformation 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 more than 2,500 canines from 205 different breeds and varieties. Tonight one will emerge from the pack.

Last year it was King, the wire fox terrier. Who will bring home the hardware in 2020?

Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime here is a look at scenes from Westminster so far.

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