The spotlight will shine on a new champion on Tuesday night as the prestigious Best in Show trophy is awarded at the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
This year, over 2,500 dogs representing all 50 US states vied for the coveted title, showcasing the pinnacle of canine excellence.
Following the selection of seven semi-finalists from various breed groups, Tuesday’s judging will culminate in the announcement of the ultimate winner in Flushing, New York, just outside Manhattan.
Established as America’s oldest organization dedicated to showcasing dogs, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show holds the distinction of being the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the US, following the Kentucky Derby.
Now in its 148th annual edition, the show has been a staple on television screens since 1948, with this year’s broadcast airing on FOX, FS1, and FS2, while also available for streaming on FOXSports.com or the FOX Sports app.
Among the breeds boasting the largest number of entries this year are chihuahuas, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, vizslas, dachshunds, French bulldogs, Australian shepherds, and Rhodesian ridgebacks.
Representing regions far and wide across the United States, dogs entered the competition from states including Florida, New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
In the preliminary rounds, dogs compete within their respective breeds before advancing to subsequent rounds where they are evaluated across seven distinct groups.
The final round, culminating in the crowning of Best in Show, sees the winners from each of the seven groups go head-to-head in the ring.
Judges adhere to a written description of the ideal breed provided by the Westminster Kennel Club, assessing dogs based on how well they conform to the standard as well as their performance on the day of judging.
Two returning contenders from last year’s semi-finalists include Trouble, an American Staffordshire terrier who clinched first place in the terrier group, and Monty, a giant schnauzer who secured victory in the Working Group.
While there are no cash prizes, the winner earns the esteemed title and a trophy. Additionally, winners in certain categories such as agility and obedience have the opportunity to direct a $5,000 Westminster donation to a training club of their choice or to the American Kennel Club Humane Fund.
As anticipation mounts for Tuesday night’s crowning of the Best in Show, here are this year’s winners thus far, all vying for the ultimate accolade:
Hound Group: Louis, an Afghan Hound (Registered name: Sunlit’s King of Queens)
Herding Group: Mercedes, a German Shepherd (Registered name: Kaleef’s Mercedes)
Non-Sporting Group: Sage, a Miniature Poodle (Registered name: Surrey Sage)
Toy Group: Comet, a Shih Tzu (Registered name: Hallmark Jolei Out of This World)
