Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendeen, became the first of his breed to win the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, beating out over 3,000 dogs from 210 breeds and varieties. The show, which dates back to 1877, was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Judges graded the dogs on breed standards for appearance, temperament, size, coat, and other characteristics. The prize for reserve best in show went to a Pekingese named Rummie.
Buddy Holly, a 6-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) from Palm Springs, California, made history as the first PBGV to win Best in Show at the 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Handler and co-owner Janice Hayes knew from the age of 9 that she would train a champion dog. Buddy Holly's balanced body, compact size, mustache, long eyebrows, and confident attitude made him stand out among the seven finalists. The champion dog loves treats and the camera, but has now retired from competition.
A petit basset griffon Vendéen named Buddy Holly won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, becoming the first of his breed to do so. The small hounds are the 154th most prevalent purebreds in the US, and Buddy Holly has also lived and competed in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. About 2,500 dogs of 210 breeds and varieties vied for the trophy, and Buddy Holly beat six other finalists to win the most prestigious dog show award in the US.
The 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is underway, with thousands of distinguished dogs competing for the highly coveted title of Best in Show. Monday's competition focused on the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups, with the top dog in each breed advancing to the Best in Show judging on Tuesday. The event is being held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, and can be watched on FS1 and the FOX Sports apps. The winners of the Hound, Toy, and Non-Sporting Groups were Buddy Holly the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Rummie the Pekingese, and Winston the French Bulldog, respectively.
Truant the Border Collie won the 2023 Masters Agility Championship at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which kicked off with the agility contest. The competition saw dogs of various breeds and sizes compete in five different height classes. Reigning champion Bee the Shetland Sheepdog defended her title in the 16" Class with a lightning-fast time of 28.27 seconds. The competition also included the Masters Obedience Championship and Dock Diving.
The Westminster Kennel Club dog show has moved to the grounds of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City after a two-year hiatus in the suburbs due to the pandemic. The event features about 3,000 canines competing in agility competitions and other events, including dock diving demonstrations. The spacious tennis center allows for holding all the events in one place, adding new ones and giving dogs and people more elbow room. While dogs aren’t usually the main attraction at the tennis center, there are plenty of players known for bringing their pooches on tour.
The Westminster Kennel Club dog show, the most prestigious canine event in the US, begins on Saturday with 2,500 dogs from 210 different breeds and varieties competing for the best in show trophy. The dogs are champions, meaning they have previously won accolades, and are judged based on how well they match the ideal standard for their breed. The focus on purebred dogs has been criticized by animal rights groups, but participants say the show is a way to showcase breeds that many people don't see regularly and to bring dog lovers together. There are no cash prizes, but winners receive bragging rights and trophies.
