Who Won the Westminster Dog Show in 2023? Hint: It’s Not a Cat

The Westminster Dog Show is like the Oscars for dogs, except there are no speeches, no red carpet, and no Leonardo DiCaprio. Every year, thousands of dogs strut their stuff in front of judges and cameras, hoping to win the ultimate prize: Best in Show.

This year, the 147th edition of the show took place on May 8 and 9 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City. The show featured more than 2,500 dogs from 209 breeds and varieties, including four new breeds that nobody has ever heard of: the Barbet, the Biewer Terrier, the Belgian Laekenois, and the Dogo Argentino.

The Best in Show Winner: Buddy Holly the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

The competition was intense and thrilling, but only one dog could be crowned as the king (or queen) of the canine world. And that dog was Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV) from the Hound Group.

Buddy Holly is a 3-year-old male who lives in Houston, Texas with his owner and handler Janice Hayes. He is described as a happy, friendly, and energetic dog who loves to chase squirrels and rabbits. He is also a seasoned show dog who has won multiple titles and awards in his career. And he has a cool name that makes you want to sing “Peggy Sue”.

Buddy Holly beat out six other finalists to win Best in Show: Winston, a French Bulldog who looks like he needs a hug; Ribbon, an Australian Shepherd who can do math better than you; Rummie, a Pekingese who looks like a mop; Connor, an Old English Sheepdog who looks like a bigger mop; Jade, a West Highland White Terrier who looks like a cotton ball; and Teddy, an English Springer Spaniel who looks like a teddy bear.

The Other Group Winners

Besides Buddy Holly, six other dogs made it to the final round of the Westminster Dog Show 2023. They were:

• Non-Sporting Group: Winston, a French bulldog from California. He is a three-year-old male who goes by the full name of GCHP CH Le Petit Prince De La Bete.

• Herding Group: Ribbon, an Australian shepherd from New Jersey. She is a five-year-old female who goes by the full name of GCHP CH Silverwood’s Kiss Of Fire At Limelite.

• Toy Group: Rummie, a Pekingese from Pennsylvania. He is a four-year-old male who goes by the full name of GCHB CH Pequest Wasab.

• Sporting Group: Daniel, a golden retriever from Virginia. He is a six-year-old male who goes by the full name of GCHP CH Hillock’s Jack Daniel’s RA JH CA RATN CGC.

• Terrier Group: Dazzle, a wire fox terrier from Brazil. She is a three-year-old female who goes by the full name of GCHB CH Irvonhill Voignier.

• Working Group: Wilma, a boxer from Georgia. She is a four-year-old female who goes by the full name of GCHP2 CH Cinnibon’s Bedrock Bombshell.

The Highlights of Westminster Dog Show 2023

The Westminster Dog Show 2023 was full of memorable moments and surprises for both the dogs and their fans. Some of them were:

• The show was held outdoors for the first time since 1920, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The venue was changed from Madison Square Garden to Arthur Ashe Stadium, which is normally used for tennis tournaments.

• The show also featured four new breeds that were eligible to compete for the first time: the barbet, the Belgian laekenois, the biewer terrier, and the dogo argentino.

• The show had a record number of entries, with over 2,500 dogs representing 209 breeds and varieties.

• The show had some unexpected results, such as Buddy Holly’s victory over more popular breeds like the golden retriever and the wire fox terrier. Another surprise was that no poodle made it to the final round, despite being one of the most successful breeds at Westminster.

Conclusion

The Westminster Dog Show 2023 was a spectacular event that showcased the beauty, diversity, and talent of man’s best friend. Buddy Holly and his fellow group winners proved that they are not only adorable and loyal companions, but also champions in their own right.