Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, has been named best in show at the Westminster Dog Show in New York.
His win on Tuesday night is special because it marks the first time the little-known breed has ever won the show – the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – widely regarded as the most prestigious dog show in the US.
Buddy Holly, of Palm Springs, California, won in the Hound group, before winning overall. About 2,500 dogs from 210 breeds competed for the trophy.
His competition for Best in Show were the dogs that won each of the other seven groups, namely: non-sporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier.
Terriers have historically been the most likely to win – 45 of the 103 times the award has been given since 1907 has gone to a dog in that class.
Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, has been named Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Buddy Holly, of Palm Springs, California, won in the Hound group, before winning overall. He is the first of his breed to ever do this
Was in second place Rummie, a Pekingese, who was aiming to take home the third trophy in 11 years for his small breed. The breed has traditionally been bred to be a close companion to Chinese royalty.
It would also have been the third win for his handler, owner and breeder David Fitzpatrick. He Pekes guided Malachy and Wasabi to wins at Westminster in 2012 and 2021 respectively.
Winston the French Bulldog, winner of the non-sporting group, was in the hunt for the title after finishing second last year.
An Australian Shepherd named Ribbon, an English Setter named Cider, a Giant Schnauzer named Monty and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Trouble were also among the top dogs.
Buddy Holly got his name because “he’s a buddy,” explains breeder Gavin Robertson. He has also lived and competed in the UK, Ireland and Australia.
“I never thought a PBGV would do this,” said handler and co-owner Janice Hayes. Buddy Holly is the epitome of a show dog. Nothing bothers him.’
Rummie the Pekingese was the winner of the Toy group and runner-up overall at the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Finalist Winston the French Bulldog who won in the non-sporting group looks at his handler at the Westminster Dog Show
Winston being inspected for breed standards before winning Best in Breed at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show
Golden Retriever Coco participates in the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It was just one of 51 retrievers to compete
Golden Retriever Coco of the Sporting Group waits her turn to be shown at the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Hayes said she was proud of the dog before he even won. “Whether he won or not, he did exactly what I wanted. We are so proud of him,’ she said.
While a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, commonly referred to as a PBGV, has never won overall, a dog of that breed has won in the dog category before.
It won against its group once before, in 2007, but the breed has not been around that long and was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991.
The PBGV is a French rabbit hunting dog and is considered fun-loving, friendly and intelligent. It is one of six types of baset-type breeds.
The final match, which included a Pekingese, a French bulldog, an Australian Shepherd, a Giant Schnauzer and an American Staffordshire, was held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens.
Addie, a Komondor, joins the task force
Addie, a Komondor, takes part in the working group competition at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show
Maximillian the Dogue de Bordeaux of the Werkgroep is waiting for his turn to be shown on Tuesday
Janice Hayes and Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, winner of the Hound Group, wins Best in Show at the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
In addition to the chosen finalists, there were also other fan favorites.
Always sure to turn heads are the Komondors, who are covered in huge white dreadlocks. This year only two entered, Addie and Zsaru.
There was also a Bloodhound that bowed deeply to a judge, a Golden Retriever who was cheered on by the breed’s many fans, and the feisty German Shorthaired Pointer who took a few jumps before darting around the ring.
Spectators applauded 10-year-old handler Audra Maes and her shiba inu, and breeder, owner and handler Alexandria Mitchell and her Ibizan dog.
They took first prize from the judge, a great achievement at a show where many exhibitors treat other people’s dogs as a career.