Westminster 2024: Sage the miniature poodle named best in show

A miniature poodle named Sage is America’s top dog after taking the title of best in show on Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

The poised non-sporting group winner from Houston with the glossy jet black coat, whose official championship name is GCHG CH Surrey Sage, was the last dog standing after a winnowing process that began Monday morning with more than 2,500 canines in 213 breeds and varieties coming from all 50 states and a dozen other countries, including Canada, Japan, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.

Sage’s handler, Kaz Hosaka of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was immediately overcome with emotion after judge Rosalind Kramer’s decision was announced to the crowd of several thousand spectators at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

On a drizzly evening at the home of the US Open tennis tournament, he took the crown over a stacked field of six other group winners, including a German shepherd named Mercedes (who won reserve best in show), an Afghan hound named Louis, a Shih Tzu named Comet, a Black Cocker Spaniel named Micha, a Colored Bull Terrier named Frankie, and a Giant Schnauzer named Monty, who was back in the final ring for the second year in a row.

This is a development story. More to follow.