>
Winston, a cream-colored French bulldog, has claimed top honors at the 2022 National Dog Show, having unleashed Claire the Scottish Deerhound who made history by winning the last two years of the annual event.
The National Dog Show said Winston is a “resilient, crowd-pleasing French Bulldog” and has won 78 Best in Shows earlier in his career.
Perry Payson of Bixby, Oklahoma led Winston to victory as his handler in the coveted Philadelphia event.
The 2022 National Dog Show hosted 2,000 talented four-legged friends from nearly 200 breeds.
Animal lovers saw competing canines on the NBC Thanksgiving special that started at noon just after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Several breeds have made their first appearance at the National Dog Show this year, the first being the Bracco Italiano, which will join the Sporting Group, known as reliable, adaptable and calm hunting dogs.
Winston, a cream colored French bulldog, has won Best in Show at the 2022 National Dog Show, Cooper the English Toy Spaniel takes home second prize
Winston was awarded top honors for his ‘personality and beauty’ which the judges said was ‘perfect for the breed’
The cream-colored dog was described as a ‘bouncy, crowd-loving French Bulldog’ and has previously won 78 Best in Shows throughout his career
Perry Payson of Bixby, Oklahoma, led Winston to victory as his handler in the coveted event in Philadelphia and elated, spun the cream-colored pooch around and jumped for joy
According to the American Kennel Club, French bulldogs are the second most popular breed in the US, beaten only by Labrador retrievers. Golden retrievers are the third most popular
Animal lovers saw competing canines on the NBC Thanksgiving special that started at noon just after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The second newcomer is the Mudi for the Herding Group, an agile and intelligent farm dog known for his loyal personality, love of canine sports, and ability to work with stubborn farm animals.
Finally, the Russian Toy, who have joined the Toy Group and are loved for their playful attitude and desire for human companionship.
But none had the prowess of Winston, who took home top honors in front of an audience of 20 million who watched as they feasted on turkey and pumpkin pie.
“He is a show dog with personality and beauty and is a perfect fit for the breed,” Vicki Seiler-Cushman, the 2022 National Dog Show’s Best in Show judge, said in a statement to People.
“He’s got that dazzling look that says, ‘I’m here to win tonight.’ You can just see that he can also go home and be the perfect pet.”
Winston is on the rise to fame making this his 78th Best in Show title and the number one dog of all breeds in the US
NFL player Morgan Fox, a defensive end for the Los Angeles Chargers, is part of the ownership group that cares for Winston and has cared for him when he was a puppy.
One of the show’s announcers joked that the petite but muscular Winston “runs like a little linebacker.”
“I get excited every time, and so does Winston,” said Payson after Winston’s Best in Show win.
An audience of 20 million watched the national game while feasting on turkey and pumpkin pie
Several breeds made their first appearance at the National Dog Show this year alongside the more commonly spotted breeds like this Afghan Hound
Each dog showed his talents in a number of categories, this Border Collie showed his agility while catching a Frisbee
A Komondor competed during the Working Group at the National Dog Show where nearly 2,000 dogs from 200 breeds competed
Winston unseated Claire the Scottish Deerhound, who made history by winning the last two years of the annual event. She retired after her 2021 win
“The National Dog Show in Philadelphia, with its television exposure on Thanksgiving Day, is of course special. We have had a lot of support and that is part of a dog of this quality.’
Before becoming Best in Show, Winston won the 2022 National Dog Show’s Best in Group award for the non-sporting group.
Six other canines joined Winston in the final round of the dog show: Sloane the Irish Water Spaniel from the Sporting Group, Cooper the English Toy Spaniel from the Toy Group, Reus the Alaskan Malamute from the Working Group, Trouble de America Staffordshire Terrier from the Terrier Group, Nate the Treeing Walker Coonhound of the Hound Group, and River the German Shepherd of the Herding Group.
Cooper the English Toy Spaniel took second place, known as Reserve Best in Show.
Winston dethroned Claire the Scottish Deerhound who made history in 2020 and 2021 by becoming the first to win two consecutive years in a row.
Claire has retired from competition following her 2021 win.
After the excitement of today’s event ended, Winston was seen enjoying some celebratory treats served on a silver tray.
When the muscular cream-colored dog was announced as the winner, a video from the nationally televised event shows Winston jumping into Payson’s arms.
The crowd is heard to erupt in cheers in support of the spectacular victory.
According to the American Kennel ClubFrench bulldogs are the second most popular breed in the US, beaten only by Labrador retrievers. Golden retrievers are the third most popular.