Winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Jan 17, 2011
Joy Butler

Wire Fox Terriers Win Often at Westminster - bruteitup@morguefile.com

Westminster is a show of champions but only one dog of thousands leaves New York City with the coveted Best in Show award.

Thousands of pampered canines from all over the world converge on the vibrant metropolis of New York City each February for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event. While a New England winter snow reflects the bright lights of Manhattan, these champion dogs enjoy royal treatment in some of New York’s finest hotels before strutting around the ring in one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world.

History of Winners at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Since the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show beginning in 1877 through 2010, a total of 299,024 dogs have competed. Yes, it is truly an honor just to compete in the Madison Square Garden event, yet each year only seven dogs will earn a Best of Group award and only one will reign as Best in Show.

The very first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best in Show was awarded in 1907 to a Smooth Fox Terrier named Ch Warren Remedy. This same dog won again in 1908 and 1909. Smooth Fox Terriers were on a roll as Ch Sabine Rarebit took BIS in 1910 but a Scottish Terrier named Ch Tickle Em Jock broke the spell in 1911.

Since then, many other breeds including Pointers, Poodles, Boxers, Pekingese, Airedales, Cocker Spaniels, and Dobermans have claimed the coveted title, although Wire Fox Terriers and Scottish Terriers have been favorites. The 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best in Show winner was a Scottish Terrier named Ch Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot, affectionately known as Sadie.

In 1917, Filax of Lewanno, a German Shepherd who had led 54 wounded WWI soldiers to safety, was exhibited as a special hero.

Winning at Westminster

Every dog who makes it to Westminster is a fine specimen representing its breed. Every dog entered in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show conforms almost perfectly, if not perfectly, to its breed’s standard and must already hold a championship. With every dog a champion, competition is stiff indeed, and often showmanship is the deciding factor for the winner.

Many handlers assert that the dogs love to show and know when they’ve won. But it’s that personality element that shines, that extra confidence, heart, or charisma, or that ‘it’ factor spoken of in Oprah magazine to describe Uno, the Beagle who won Best in Show in 2008, that excites the crowd and often means the difference between Best in Show and second place.