Westminster Dog Show results: Monty the Giant Schnauzer makes history with Best in Show win

USA Today

12-02-2025

The Super Bowl may be over, but the Super Bowl of dog shows has arrived. And no, we're not talking about the 2025 Puppy Bowl. We're speaking of America's most iconic dog show.
The 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time in five years and one dog stood above the rest. Monty the Giant Schnauzer was named Best in Show on Tuesday, besting more than 2,500 dogs across 200 breeds during two days of competition.
Third time's a charm! Monty, a 5-year-old male from New Jersey, won the Working Group three consecutive times, but fell short of the top honor the two previous times, until now. His win made history. Monty is the first Giant Schnauzer to ever win Best in Show and the first Working Group dog to win Best in Show since 2004, ending the longest drought of any particular group. The winner was selected by Best in Show judge Paula Nykiel out of Washington, Missouri.
"He always tries so hard. I'm just so proud of him. I call him my Secretariat because he never stops," Monty's handler, Kate Bernadin, said after the win, while holding back emotions. "Puppy did the (expletive) thing."
Bourbon the Whippet, who came out of retirement at 9.5 years old for the competition, was named the Reserve Best in Show, the runner-up to the greatest dog in America. It marked Bourbon's third Reserve Best in Show honor, after finishing second at Westminster in 2020 and 2021.
Here's a full recap of all the action at Tuesday's Westminster Dog Show Best in Show event:
Watch: Monty the Giant Schnauzer wins Best in Show
Watch: Best in Show competition
Group Winners: Best in Show dogs
These fine dogs from the seven groups will compete for the Best in Show.
Here's a closer look at each group winner from Westminster Dog Show 2025:
Terrier Group: Archer the Skye Terrier
Last but not least, the Terrier Group. The Terrier Group has produced 47 Best in Show winners, the most out of the seven groups. Archer the Skye Terrier won the group in his "retirement show," his handler said.
Working Group: Monty the Giant Schnauzer
Third time's a charm? Monty, a 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer from New Jersey, has won the Working Group for the third consecutive time. Can Monty make history? A Giant Schnauzer has never won Best in Show. The Working Group has won Best in Show 15 times before, most recently in 2004 with a Newfoundland.
Sporting Group: Freddie the English Springer Spaniel
Freddie, an English Springer Spaniel from Milan, Illinois, won the Sporting Group, besting 34 other dogs. The breed excels in hunting and performance and has won Best in Show six times, most recently in 2006. Fun fact: George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, had an English Springer Spaniel named Millie.
Hound Group: Bourbon the Whippet
Bourbon the Whippet wasn't originally scheduled to compete this week. The 9-year-old has been retired since 2021, but she came out of retirement on a whim. 'Since (retirement) she's been a mom. She's had puppies. She's been our companion and pet. She got here (at Westminster) and she was ready to go, so we decided to give it a go," her handler revealed. Bourbon now has a chance at Best in Show. She previously won Reserve Best in Show twice (2020, 2021) at Westminster, but never the main prize.
Non-Sporting Group: Neal the Bichon Frisé
Neal, a Bichon Frisé from Mabank, Texas, won the Non-Sporting Group. A Bichon Frisé has won Best in Show two times, most recently in 2018. Neal is one of 16 Bichon Frisé that entered the competition this year.
Toy Group: Comet the Shih Tzu
A male Shih Tzu from Monclova, Ohio, named 'Comet' topped the Toy Group for the second consecutive year. Shih Tzus were first recognized in 1969 and were bred in China, crossing ancient Chinese and Tibetan breeds. Shih Tzus in the show ring are known for having long, flowing coats and 'Comet' was no exception with his gold, white and silver coat.
Herding Group: Mercedes the German Shepherd
Mercedes, the German Shepherd from Bethesda, Maryland, was named last year's Reserve Best in Show. Mercedes has another chance at winning big after topping the herding group for the second consecutive year. German Shepherds have experienced great success at Westminster with wins in the Herding Group in 2016, 2017, 2022, 2024 and now 2025.
What is the 2025 Westminster dog show schedule?
Tuesday, Feb. 11: Preliminary judging continues in the remaining three groups (Javits Center), with the top finishers advancing to the Best of Breed competition (Madison Square Garden).
Best in Show honors will be announced after the judging concludes on Tuesday night.
Dog Show Day 2
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Breed Judging (Sporting, Working, Terrier)
Junior Showmanship Preliminaries
7-11 p.m. ET, Madison Square Garden
Group Judging (Sporting, Working, Terrier)
Junior Showmanship Finals
Best In Show
The dog show will be broadcast on FS1 and FS2.
Where is the 2025 Westminster dog show being held?
This year, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show returns to Madison Square Garden and the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.
For the past two years, it has been held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center – site of the U.S. Open – in nearby Flushing Meadows with the Best in Show winner crowned on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Westminster was previously held at Madison Square Garden until 2020, but moved to the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York, in 2021 and 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Steve Gardner
What breeds are in the competition?
More than 2,500 dogs from 201 different breeds will take part in this year's Westminster Dog Show.
The participating dogs are divided into seven categories:
Hound
Toy
Non-sporting
Working
Sporting
Terrier
Herding
The first four groups are judged on Monday; the remaining three are judged on Tuesday.
How does judging work?
The seven different breed groups are evaluated based on the standard set by their parent club, meaning competing dogs aren't compared to other competitors but to the ideal proportions, weight and size, head shape, gait and other qualities of the breed.
Once a dog wins its breed, it is judged within its group. Group winners then move on to the Best in Show category. — Steve Gardner
Who won Best in Show last year?
"Sage," the Miniature Poodle, won the Best in Show honor at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last May, beating over 2,500 dogs of more than 200 different breeds for the ultimate prize. Sage, a 3-year-old from Houston, was handled by Kaz Hosaka in the final show of his career.
Sage was the first poodle to win Best in Show since 2020.
When is the Westminster Dog Show Best in Show?
The Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show event takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 11 with the TV broadcast airing on FS1.
All times Eastern.
Best in Show: 7:30-11 p.m.
Westminster Dog Show TV channel: How to watch Best in Show
TV channel: FS1
FS1 will have TV coverage from Madison Square Garden on the crucial Day 2 of the event. That includes a pre-show kicking off at 7 p.m. ET, followed immediately by the main event in the Best in Show.
Westminster Dog Show stream: How to stream Best in Show
All FS1 and FS2 telecasts will be available for subscribers on the FOX Sports app. You can also catch the event on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.