NEW YORK, N.Y. — Defeating more than 2,500 dogs, Monty the Giant Schnauzer captured Best in Show at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at Madison Square Garden on February 11.

Hailing from the Working Group, the 5-year-old male officially known as GCHG Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, was handled by Katherine Bernardin of Chaplin, Conn. and owned by Sandra Nordstrom, Bernardin, and Cherlann Ambrose. Bourbon, a 9-year-old female Whippet, officially known as GCHP CH Pinna Kentucky Bourbon won Reserve Best in Show with handler Cheslie Pickett Smithey.

Unlike the Kansas City Chiefs, Monty and Bourbon captured three-peat group wins. The handsome, wiry black-coated Monty with a harsh beard and eyebrows, the breed’s hallmark, took his third consecutive working group first. The elegant yet muscular, smooth golden-colored Bourbon repeated her hound group wins from 2020 and 2021.

The seven finalists, including a German Shepherd, an English Springer Spaniel, a Bichon Frise, a Skye Terrier, and a Shih Tzu, bounded into the Garden’s spotlight as thousands cheered on their favorites. But in the end Best in Show judge Paula Nykiel picked the pregame favorite, Monty the number one dog in 2024, over the underdog Bourbon who had come out of retirement after having three litters for one more shot at glory.

After her hound group win a teary-eyed Bernardin said, “I’m excited, it’s an emotional win. Because you don’t know what the last memory will be.” For Bourbon it was an additional three-peat, taking her third Reserve Best in Show.

Newtown residents and Newtown Kennel Club members were well represented during the two days of best of breed competition at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Handled by Marlene Ness, and owned by Kathleen Vino, Carli the 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel aka GCHB CH Cocoas Starburst, won best of breed and competed in the Sporting Group at Madison Square Garden.

Hawleyville resident Anne Eckersley and her 3-year-old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Trivy aka GCH Chadwick Trivial Pursuit JW won best of opposite sex to best of breed over an entry of 26 dogs. Natasha Cooper owner/handled Bizzy the Pug aka GCHS CH Autumn How Ya Like Them Apples At Cooper Creek to select bitch honors for the second consecutive year.

Owner/breeder/handler Shawny Cirincione piloted her 6-year-old Scottish Deerhound, CH. Hobarra’s Fire Makes Steel, to a select dog win. He is also owned by T. Rizzitello and John Luther. Cirincione teaches the Newtown Kennel Club dog handling classes. Eckersley, Ness, and Cooper regularly bring dogs to train at the weekly handling classes.

Sandy Hook resident Nancy Bosely, one of the owners, celebrated their 4-year-old female Doberman Pinscher, GCHG Seraphin Rise Up with Alisaton, winning select bitch. Debbie Studwell earned an award of merit handling the 3-year-old Keeshond GCHB Keepsake Moonstruck At Rockstar. He is owned by Jacqueline J. Cicale, his breeder Margaret Bissell, and Roseanne Conrad.

Margaret Reed of Wilton was seen at the Javitz Center during her first judging assignment at Westminster. She judged Miniature Pinschers, Toy Fox Terriers, Italian Greyhounds, Yorkshire Terriers, Japanese Chin, Havanese, Shih Tzu and Silky Terriers. She selected Comet the Shih Tzu for best of breed who eventually went on to win the Toy group for a second time and compete in Best in Show.

Click here for more photos and a behind-the-scenes look at Westminster.