Best in Show: The Winningest Dog Breeds at the Westminster Kennel Club Competition
Everyone thinks their pooch is a winner, but does yours have what it really takes to win some prizes?
Perhaps you've been watching the Westminster Kennel Club Competitions and are considering entering your dog in a future show. Here are some of the best in show dogs according to the Westminster Kennel Club so you can see if your pet stands a chance.
2019 Best in Show: Fox Terrier
If you have a fox terrier, then its chances of being a winner are significantly higher. An impeccable fox terrier won best in show for 2019.
Not only was the winner for this year's best in show a fox terrier, but this breed's won 14 other times. Perhaps the judges have a bias for this breed?
2019 Runner Up: Havanese
This year, the runner up went to a Havanese with a long, beautiful coat. While the Havanese hasn't won as many times as the fox terrier has, you still stand a good chance of winning with this breed, as toy breeds have won best in show 10 previous times.
Other Common Winners
If your pooch isn't a fox terrier or a Havanese, you shouldn't worry too much. Here are some of the common winners:
- Scottish terrier
- English Springer spaniel
- American cocker spaniel
- Boxer
- Doberman pinscher
- Standard poodle
- Pekingese
Popularity of Winners by Group
Here are the most popular group winners, from most to least popular:
- Terrier
- Sporting
- Working
- Toy
- Non-sporting
- Hound
- Herding
Judging Criteria
If you own dogs in the bottom of the list above, there's still hope that they can win best in show and take home the trophy. It's not a simple matter of just making sure your pets are well-groomed. Here are some of the things judges look for.
Eyes
When looking at a dog's eyes, they'll look at the colour, shape, and size.
Ears
The dog's ears should have a good shape and length. They're also judged on the position.
Muzzle Area
The show judges will examine the shape and length of your dog's muzzle. They'll also look at the whiskers and how thick they are.
Tail
Your dog will be scored on both how its tail arches and sets.
Coat and Color
The judges will look at how long and textured your dog's coat is. There is also a list of accepted breed colours, so they'll assess that as well.
Overall Balance
All the components such as eyes and ears may seem optimal, but are they proportionate to one another? Is your dog a good weight and size for its breed? These are things judges will take into account.
Do You Have the Best in Show Dogs?
Now that you know some of the breeds for best in show dogs, maybe your pets are amongst some of them. But remember, showing your dog in competitions takes a lot of work, so make sure you're committed to it before you embark on this journey!
If you don't think dog shows are your pooch's thing, then get the next best thing. Create a custom trophy for them instead!
