The Westminster Dog Show 2023 Non Sporting Group Top Dogs were truly impressive.
The Barbet took home the top spot in the Non Sporting Group, with its handler, Susan D. Wagner, beaming with pride.
This breed's unique characteristics, such as its curly coat and webbed feet, made it a standout in the competition.
The Barbet's win marked a significant moment for the breed, which was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015.
A fresh viewpoint: Best Time to Breed Dog in Heat
Westminster Dog Show 2023
The Westminster Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog competitions in the world. The 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show was a fierce competition among over 2,500 dogs of 210 breeds and varieties.
Handler Jessica Plourde described her dog Ribbon as "like the fun girl at the party." This year's competition saw a variety of talented dogs, including Winston, the bloodhound that bowed deeply before a judge.
Winston, representing the most prevalent dog breed in the United States, won the National Dog Show hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia last fall. He's a crowd-pleaser, and handler Perry Payson said he "just steals your heart."
Here's an interesting read: List of Best in Show Winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster finalists first beat other dogs of their breed, and then their "group", such as toy dogs or hounds. The newly eligible bracco Italiano was won by a dog co-owned by country music star Tim McGraw.
The competition was not limited to the main ring, with hundreds more competing in agility, obedience, and other events.
Poodle Wins at Westminster
At the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a Miniature Poodle named Sage took top honors in the Non-Sporting Group.
Sage, a 3-year-old female, was handled by Kaz Hosaka and owned by Cathy Gauche. She was officially known as GCHG CH Surrey Sage.
The Non-Sporting Group had 21 dogs entered, and Sage was the winner under judge Fred O. Bassett of Broken Arrow, OK.
The competition was fierce, with over 2,500 entries in conformation at the show.
The Non-Sporting Group was televised live on FS1.
Here's a list of the Non-Sporting Group winners at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show:
- 2023: Sage, the Miniature Poodle
- 2022: No information available
The show was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and the results can be found on the Westminster Kennel Club's website.
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world, attracting over 2,500 dogs of 210 breeds and varieties. Each dog competes in its respective breed and group, with the goal of becoming the Best in Show.
Handler Jessica Plourde described her dog Ribbon as "like the fun girl at the party." This shows that even the dogs' personalities play a role in their appeal. Ribbon's owner and breeder, David Fitzpatrick, also described her as "true to Pekingese type, lots of carriage, presence — everything in one, here."
The competition is fierce, with dogs like Winston, the bloodhound that bowed deeply before a judge, and the spunky German shorthaired pointer that did a few leaps before its lap around the ring, stealing the hearts of spectators.
Here are some notable breeds that competed in the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show:
- Bracco Italiano, won by a dog co-owned by country music star Tim McGraw
- Ibizan hound, handled by breeder/owner/handler Alexandria Mitchell
- Shiba Inu, handled by 10-year-old handler Audra Maes
147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show was a fierce competition with over 2,500 dogs of 210 breeds and varieties vying for the trophy.
Ribbon, a Pekingese, stole the hearts of many with her spirited semifinal turn, which included an impromptu leap into a decorative box in the middle of the ring.
Winston, representing the most prevalent dog breed in the United States, came in second at Westminster last year and went on to win last fall's National Dog Show.
Handler and co-owner Perry Payson described Winston as "just steals your heart." Each Westminster finalist first had to best other dogs of its breed, and then of its group, such as toy dogs or hounds.
A bracco Italiano, won by a dog co-owned by country music star Tim McGraw, made its debut at the show. The breed was among the finalists up for semifinal group judging Tuesday night.
A 10-year-old handler, Audra Maes, made the judge’s first cut with her shiba inu, an impressive accomplishment at a show where many exhibitors handle other people's dogs as a career.
The show also featured a bloodhound that bowed deeply before a judge, a golden retriever cheered by its many fans, and a spunky German shorthaired pointer that did a few leaps before its lap around the ring.
Poodle Wins at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Miniature Poodle, Sage, took top honors in the Non-Sporting Group at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She was handled by Kaz Hosaka and owned by Cathy Gauche.
Sage is a 3-year-old female, officially known as GCHG CH Surrey Sage. She won the Non-Sporting Group under judge Fred O. Bassett of Broken Arrow, OK.
The Non-Sporting Group had 21 dogs entered, with Sage taking the top spot. This was just one part of the larger competition, which saw over 2,500 entries in conformation.
The Group and Best in Show competitions culminated on Tuesday, May 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Non-Sporting Group of dogs?
The Non-Sporting Group is a category of dog breeds that don't fit into other groups, such as herding, hound, or sporting breeds, and includes a diverse range of breeds with unique characteristics. Examples of Non-Sporting breeds include the Bulldog, Poodle, and Shih Tzu.
Do you have to qualify for Westminster Dog Show?
To participate in the Westminster Dog Show, dogs must first earn their championship title by accumulating points through qualifying events. Qualifying for Westminster requires a dog to have a proven track record of success in dog shows.
Why are poodles in the Non-Sporting Group?
Poodles were initially classified in the Non-Sporting Group by the AKC due to their unique characteristics, which didn't fit the traditional sporting breed categories. This classification was later adopted by the CKC, solidifying the breed's place in the Non-Sporting Group.
What are the 7 dog groups?
The 7 major dog groups are working, herding, hound, sporting, non-sporting, terrier, and toy. These groups categorize dogs based on their original purpose and characteristics.
Sources
- the Westminster Kennel Club dog show (apnews.com)
- Winston (apnews.com)
- co-owned by country music star Tim McGraw (apnews.com)
- told the Associated Press (apnews.com)
- AKC.TV (akc.tv)
- AKC Weekly Winners (akcwinners.com)
- Events Calendar (caninechronicleshowcalendar.com)
- Twitter (twitter.com)
- the Westminster Kennel Club dog show (apnews.com)
- Winston (apnews.com)
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