Each year since 1907, thousands of dogs (and their owners) have gathered in New York City for the chance to strut their stuff and earn the title of best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — one of the most prestigious awards in the world for show dogs.
Dog shows exist to evaluate a dog’s potential to contribute to its breed, so the Westminster Kennel Club judges against a “written standard describing the ideal dog” of its kind. The entrant that comes the closest to that standard is declared the winner. Dogs that win best in breed then move onto group competitions, where they compete against other winners from seven groups — sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding. The seven contestants that win best in group are then eligible for the top prize of best in show.
Show dogs tend to have elaborate, flowery names like “Afterall Painting The Sky” or “Whisperwind On A Carousel,” but these are often shortened to common, shorter names like “Sky” or “Peter.”
In anticipation of the 2020 Westminster Kennel Club’s 2020 best in show award being handed out on February 11, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the club’s website to find every Westminster best in show winner over the last 50 years.
In the show’s history, 48 different breeds have taken home the top prize, though certain types seem more likely to be selected. Judges tend to select terriers as the best in show — these diminutive dogs have won best in show 47 of a possible 112 shows. These smaller dogs may be popular on the awards circuit, but they are not favored by the average American dog owner. These are America’s most popular dog breeds.
Many dog owners prefer purebreds because they have a specific size, skillset, and disposition for owners to expect, while mutts can be something of a toss-up. However, they do come with drawbacks as well. Some breeds have specific health issues that are passed down through generations. These are the shortest and longest living dog breeds.
Click here to see every Westminster dog show winner in the last 50 years.
1970: Arriba’s Prima Donna
> Breed: Boxer
> Owner: Dr. & Mrs. P. Pagano & Dr. T. Fickes
The Best in Show judge described Arriba’s Prima Donna, or “Suzie” as she was known, as “elegance personified.” Suzie is still the only female boxer to ever win best in show.
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1971: Chinoe’s Adamant James
> Breed: English springer spaniel
> Owner: Milton E. Prickett
Chinoe’s Adamant James went by DJ, which was short for Diamond Jim.
1972: Chinoe’s Adamant James
> Breed: English springer spaniel
> Owner: Milton E. Prickett
With his second consecutive best in show win, Chinoe’s Adamant James became the most recent dog to win the competition multiple times.
1973: Acadia Command Performance
> Breed: Poodle (standard)
> Owner: Edward Jenner & Jo Ann Sering
Acadia Command Performance owner Edward Jenner would go on to win best in show again in 1990 with a Pekingese named Wendessa Crown Prince.
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1974: Gretchenhof Columbia River
> Breed: German shorthaired pointer
> Owner: Richard P. Smith
“Traveler” was the first German shorthaired pointer to win best in show.
1975: Sir Lancelot of Barvan
> Breed: Old English sheepdog
> Owner: Mr. & Mrs. R. Vanword
Before Sir Lancelot of Barvan, no dog in the herding group had won best in show since 1929. The only other win by an Old English sheepdog came in 1914.
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1976: Jo Ni’s Red Baron of Crofton
> Breed: Lakeland terrier
> Owner: Mrs. V. K. Dickson
When “Baron” won best in show at Westminster, he broke the record for the highest total victories of any terrier, with 60.
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1977: Dersade Bobby’s Girl
> Breed: Sealyham terrier
> Owner: Pool Forge Kennels
Dersade Bobby’s Girl was the fourth Sealyham terrier to win best in show, and the first to do so in more than 40 years. None have won since.
1978: Cede Higgins
> Breed: Yorkshire terrier
> Owner: Barbara A. & Charles W. Switzer
To this day, Cede Higgins is the only Yorkshire terrier to win best in show at the Westminster Dog show.
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1979: Oak Tree’s Irishtocrat
> Breed: Irish water spaniel
> Owner: Mrs. Anne E. Snelling
Irish water spaniels like Oak Tree’s Irishtocrat were once America’s most popular retrievers, but they are now much less popular than others like golden retrievers and labrador retrievers.
1980: Innisfree’s Sierra Cinnar
> Breed: Siberian husky
> Owner: Kathleen Kanzler
Cinnar was handled by Trish Kansler, who was just 23 years old, making her the youngest handler to help their dog earn best in show honors.
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1981: Dhandys Favorite Woodchuck
> Breed: Pug
> Owner: Robert A. Hauslohner
“Chucky” was the most decorated pug in dog show history, winning best in show at 16 events and becoming the only pug to win it at the Westminster Dog Show.
1982: St. Aubrey Dragonora of Elsdon
> Breed: Pekingese
> Owner: Mrs. Anne E. Snelling
After St. Aubrey Dragonora of Elsdon won best in show, Anne E. Snelling became the most recent single owner to win the top prize multiple times.
1983: Kabiks The Challenger
> Breed: Afghan hound
> Owner: Chris & Marguerite Terrell
Kabiks The Challenger was the first dog from the hound group to win best in show in over 20 years.
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1984: Seaward’s Blackbeard
> Breed: Newfoundland
> Owner: Seaward Kennels, Reg.
“Adam” was one of the largest ever best in show winners, at 155 pounds. He was the first Newfoundland to win the honor.
1985: Braeburn’s Close Encounter
> Breed: Scottish terrier
> Owner: Sonnie & Alan Novick
Though terriers have dominated the Westminster dog show, racking up 47 best in show wins out of a possible 112, “Shannon” snapped a seven-year streak in which no terriers took home the award.
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1986: Marjetta’s National Acclaim
> Breed: Pointer
> Owner: Mrs. A. R. Robson & Michael Zollo
Before Marjetta, no sporting dog had won best in show at Westminster since 1979.
1987: Covy Tucker Hill’s Manhattan
> Breed: German shepherd
> Owner: S. Braunstein & J. Firestone
Though German shepherds have been an American Kennel Club recognized breed since 1908, no such dog had won best in show before 1987.
1988: Great Elms Prince Charming, II
> Breed: Pomeranian
> Owner: Skip Piazza & Olga Baker
The first Pomeranian to win best in show, Great Elms Prince Charming, II, is also one of the only winners small enough to fit in the trophy.
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1989: Royal Tudor’s Wild As The Wind
> Breed: Doberman pinscher
> Owner: R. & C .Vida, B. Wilhite, A. & S. Korp
This Doberman pinscher beat out over 2,600 other dogs for the top honors in 1989.
1990: Wendessa Crown Prince
> Breed: Pekingese
> Owner: Edward B. Jenner
Wendessa Crown Prince became the second dog shown by Jenner to win best in show.
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1991: Whisperwind On A Carousel
> Breed: Poodle (standard)
> Owner: Dr. & Mrs. Frederick Hartsock
Whisperwind On A Carousel, also called “Peter,” would go on to become the most decorated show poodle of all time and father several other notable show dogs.
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1992: Registry’s Lonesome Dove
> Breed: Wire fox terrier
> Owner: Marion W. & Samuel B. Lawrence
Registry’s Lonesome Dove’s best in show victory was the first time a wire fox terrier won the award since wire and smooth fox terriers became separate breeds in 1985.
1993: Salilyn’s Condor
> Breed: English springer spaniel
> Owner: D. & R. Herzig, MD & J. Gasow
Salilyn’s Condor not only won best in show, but also became the first winner to have their offspring win the prize as well.
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1994: Chidley Willum The Conqueror
> Breed: Norwich terrier
> Owner: Ruth Cooper & Patricia Lussier
Willum’s half-sister, who went by the name Rocki, would go on to win best in show four years later.
1995: Gaelforce Post Script
> Breed: Scottish terrier
> Owner: Dr. J. Kinnarney & Dr. V. Huber
Gaelforce Post Script became the second consecutive terrier and the third in four years to take home best in show.
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1996: Clussexx Country Sunrise
> Breed: Clumber spaniel
> Owner: Judith & Richard Zaleski
Though Clumber spaniels were among the first breeds to be officially recognized by the AKC, Clussexx Country Sunrise was the first of its kind to win Westminster’s best in show.
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1997: Parsifal Di Casa Netzer
> Breed: Standard schnauzer
> Owner: Rita Holloway & Gabrio Del Torre
Parsifal Di Casa Netzer, or “Pa,” became the first standard schnauzer to win best in show, breaking an eight-year drought for dogs from the working group.
1998: Fairewood Frolic
> Breed: Norwich terrier
> Owner: Sandina Kennels
This tiny Norwich terrier, who went by the name Rocki, was actually two weeks pregnant while competing in the 1998 Westminster Dog Show.
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1999: Loteki Supernatural Being
> Breed: Papillon
> Owner: John Oulton
“Kirby” was not just the first Papillon to win best in show, but he was also the first dog of any kind to win the award at both the Westminster Dog Show and the World Show.
2000: Salilyn ‘N Erin’s Shameless
> Breed: English springer spaniel
> Owner: C. Blain, F. Sunseri & J. Gasow
Salilyn ‘N Erin’s Shameless, or “Samantha”, is the daughter of 1993 best in show winner Salilyn’s Condor. She is the first best in show winner whose parent also took home the top prize.
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2001: Special Times Just Right
> Breed: Bichon frise
> Owner: C. Ruggles, E. McDonald, F. Werneck
When this dog, known as J.R., won best in show it became the first bichon frise to win. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972, making it the most recently recognized breed to win the top prize.
2002: Surrey Spice Girl
> Breed: Poodle (miniature)
> Owner: Ron L. Scott & Barbara Scott
Spice retired after winning the 2002 best in show title, her 39th victory.
2003: Torums Scarf Michael
> Breed: Kerry blue terrier
> Owner: Marilu Hansen
“Mike” was the first dog to win best in show at three prestigious dog shows — Westminster, Crufts in the U.K., and the American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Invitational.
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2004: Darbydale’s All Rise Pouch Cove
> Breed: Newfoundland
> Owner: Peggy Helming & Carol Bernard Bergmann
“Josh” visited people in hospitals and nursing homes after retiring from shows.
2005: Kan-Point’s VJK Autumn Roses
> Breed: German shorthaired pointer
> Owner: L. & R. Stark & C. Cronk & V. Nunes-Atkinson
“Carlee” became the second German shorthaired pointer to win best in show. She is a direct descendant of “Traveler,” who was the first of his kind to win the top prize.
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2006: Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid
> Breed: Bull terrier (Colored)
> Owner: Barbara Bishop & W. F. Poole & N. Shepherd & R. P. Pool & Dorothy Cherry
After retiring from shows, “Rufus” became certified as a therapy dog and made regular visits to nursing homes.
2007: Felicity’s Diamond Jim
> Breed: English springer spaniel
> Owner: Teresa Patton & Allen Patton & R. Dehmel & D. Hadsall
English springer spaniels are among the winningest breeds at Westminster. The best in show win for Felicity’s Diamond Jim in 2007 was the sixth overall for the breed. Only wire fox terriers and Scottish terriers have more.
2008: K-Run’s Park Me In First
> Breed: Beagle (15 inch)
> Owner: Caroline Dowell & Eddie Dziuk & Jon Woodring & Kathy Weichert
Though they have been a recognized breed since the 1800s and rank as one of America’s most popular dog breeds, “Uno” was the first beagle to win best in show at Westminster.
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2009: Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
> Breed: Sussex spaniel
> Owner: Cecilia Ruggles & Beth Dowd & Scott Sommer
This Sussex spaniel, who went by “Stump,” became the first of its breed to win best in show. Stump also became the oldest dog to ever win the top prize at age 10.
2010: Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot
> Breed: Scottish terrier
> Owner: Amelia Musser
In 2010, “Sadie” became the eighth Scottish terrier to win top honors at Westminster — the second highest total of any breed.
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2011: Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
> Breed: Scottish deerhound
> Owner: Sally Sweatt & Cecilia L. Dove & Dr. R. Scott Dove
Though Scottish deerhounds have been an officially recognized breed since 1886 — years before Westminster handed out best in show — none had won the top prize until Hickory.
2012: Palacegarden Malachy
> Breed: Pekingese
> Owner: Iris Love & S. Middlebrooks & D. Fitzpatrick
Judges said Malachy’s “demeanor was flawless” during the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in which he won best in show.
2013: Banana Joe V Tani Kazari
> Breed: Affenpinscher
> Owner: Zoila Truesdale & Mieke Cooymans
First recognized as a breed in 1936, Banana Joe became the first Affenpinscher to win best in show in 2013.
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2014: Afterall Painting The Sky
> Breed: Wire fox terrier
> Owner: Victor Malzoni, Jr. & Torie Steele & S. & M. Olund & D. Ryan
In addition to her 2014 Westminster best in show win, “Sky” was also top dog at the 2012 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.
2015: Tashtins Lookin For Trouble
> Breed: Beagle (15 inch)
> Owner: Eddie Dziuk & Lori Crandlemire & Kaitlyn Crandlemire
“Miss P” was the second beagle to earn top honors and is a grand-niece of Uno, the first beagle to do so.
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2016: Vjk-Myst Garbonita’s California Journey
> Breed: German shorthaired pointer
> Owner: Valerie Nunes-Atkinson & Alice Manning & Yvonne Hassler-Deterding
“CJ” is descended from 2005 best in show winner “Carlee,” becoming the third German shorthaired pointer to win the honors.
2017: Lockenhaus’ Rumor Has It V Kenlyn
> Breed: German sShepherd Dog
> Owner: Deborah Stern & Pamela Buckles & Patti Dukeman & Pamela McElheney & Kent Boyles
After retiring from dog shows following her 2017 best in show win, “Rumor” worked as a therapy dog in children’s hospitals.
2018: Belle Creek’s All I Care About Is
> Breed: Bichon frise
> Owner: Patrina & Bruce Odette & Lindsay Van Keuren & Lorrie Carlton & Larry Letsche DVM
“Flynn” became the first dog in the non-sporting group to take home the title of best in show since 2002. This group includes dogs like both standard and miniature poodles, as well as bulldogs.
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2019: King Arthur Van Foliny Home
> Breed: Wire fox terrier
> Owner: Victor Malzoni Jr
In 2019, King Arthur secured the 15th best in show win among wire fox terriers — far and away the highest total for any breed.
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