By Bianca Kapteyn
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan under Judge Ms. Elizabeth “Beth” Sweigart was held at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York City.
Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen wins Best in Show at the 147th annual Westminster Dog Show – a first in their history that a PBGV has been awarded the ultimate dog prize. Buddy bested six other group champions to triumph, out of the 2,500 dogs in competition.
Last year’s winner of this world-famous canine competition was the Bloodhound, ”Trumpet,” whose show name is Toot My Own Horn.
Buddy, a 6-year-old male of Palm Springs, California, officially known as CH Soletrader Buddy Holly, is handled by Janice Hayes, co-owned by Janice Hayes, Lizzie Cadmore, Cathy O’Neill , and Donna Moore, and bred by Gavin and Sara Robertson.
This year’s Reserve Best in Show went to the very hirsute “Rummie” the Pekingese, in the toy group, known officially as GCH Pequest Rum Dum.
The Westminster Kennel Club, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby, and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show.
Main photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Westminster Kennel Club