The 2024 National Dog Show, a Thanksgiving tradition for dog lovers, concluded with a heartwarming victory for Vito, a Pug that epitomized the breed’s ideal traits. The show, broadcast annually by NBC, aired following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, showcasing the finest dogs from across the nation.
Held on November 16 and 17 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, the event was organized by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and saw 1,940 dogs representing 205 breeds. The competitors were divided into seven categories: Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy, and Working, with each breed evaluated according to its breed standard and specific traits.
The judging process is designed to assess dogs not just on their appearance, but also on their breed-specific characteristics and performance. Rather than comparing dogs across vastly different sizes—like a Chihuahua and a Great Dane—judges evaluate each breed based on the “mental image” of the perfect specimen, as outlined by its official standard.
Vito, officially named GCHG Andi In Cahoots, emerged victorious after clinching the Toy division before securing the coveted Best in Show title. In a closely contested final, Vito edged out Verde, a Welsh Terrier who triumphed in the Terrier division, to take home the grand prize.
While every dog at the National Dog Show is a champion in its own right, Vito’s success was a true celebration of the Pug’s ideal traits—small but full of personality, with a distinctive appearance that embodies the breed’s standard.
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