In brief
Monty, a five-year-old giant schnauzer, has made history by winning the prestigious Best in Show award at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, beating over 2,500 competitors.
Monty the giant schnauzer secured a significant victory at the renowned Westminster Kennel Club dog show, which took place on Tuesday at New York City's Madison Square Garden. After a remarkable three-year journey to the finals, Monty has become the first giant schnauzer ever to win the esteemed Best in Show title. "The puppy did the damn thing," exclaimed Monty's owner, Katie Bernardin, as the event was broadcast live. The Westminster Dog Show, celebrating its 149th year, is the oldest dog show club in the United States and is only surpassed in longevity by the Kentucky Derby.Throughout the competition, Monty triumphed over 2,500 other dogs across various breeds, advancing to the finals after winning the Working Group title for two consecutive years but previously falling short of the top prize. This year, however, the five-year-old's striking all-black coat and excellent performance impressed the judges, marking a significant moment for the Working Group, which hasn't claimed the overall title since 2004.Judge Paula Nykiel, a respected dog breeder and owner-handler, selected Monty for the top honor after watching him excel in the preliminary events. Judges assess each contender based on the breed's standard and scrutinize the dog's build and mouth structure.In a competitive finals round, Monty faced off against a stellar lineup of finalists, including nine-year-old Bourbon, a whippet that recently came out of retirement and secured the Reserve Best in Show for the third time, alongside finalists Comet the shih tzu, Mercedes the German shepherd, and Neal the bichon frise. The 2024 competition also saw a female miniature poodle take home the Best in Show award, ensuring that excitement for the event will continue for future contests.
