A small dog wins big at the annual Thanksgiving Day dog competition after it becomes the first Pug in history to win the coveted ‘Best In Show’ title.
Vito the Pug makes history at this year’s National Dog Show as this is the first time in two decades that a Pug has bagged the ‘Best In Show’ title, according to NBC News.
Furthermore, NBC News reports that Vito is the No. 1 Pug in all show systems and was also the winner for the Toy Group category.
Contestants for the National Dog Show were judged based on their overall appearance temperament, and structure, according to their breeds’ official standards.
And Vito came out on top despite being up against a top-ranked Welsh terrier, a giant schnauzer, a Clumber spaniel, a Lhasa apso, a Berger Picard and an Ibizan hound.
Best-in-show judge George Milutinovich described Vito as “Compact, features, movement — everything a pug should be.”
Vito’s co-owner, Carolyn Koch of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said she’s proud of Vito and called Pugs “her breed”.
Vito’s handler, Michael Scott of Chesapeake City, Maryland, said that he was optimistic of the pooch’s chances of winning.
“I always hope to get a really good look [from the judge]. … Vito has a beautiful head and expression. Great outline,” he said.
And for bagging the coveted title, Vito won Koch and co-owners Joy Barbieri and Rebecca Movall of Stanfordville, New York, a $2,000 cash prize, as per NBC News.
Vito is no stranger to winning. As a matter of fact, he has 25 best-in-shows under his belt, even though he’s only two-and-a-half years old!
NBC News reports that Vito also claimed best of breed at this year’s Westminster Dog Show in New York City and best of breed at the AKC National Show last year.
The National Dog Show is an annual dog show competition hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and is broadcasted during Thanksgiving Day by NBC.
This year, the dog show competition was held on Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17.
About 2,000 dogs representing 205 breeds, including the newest AKC-recognized dog breed Lancashire Heeler, gathered on stage at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, this year’s Best in Breed winners include:
- Herding: Rupert (Berger Picard)
- Working: Monty (Giant Schnauzer)
- Toy: Vito (Pug)
- Sporting: Houston (Clumber Spaniel)
- Hound: The Zit (Ibizan Hound)
- Terrier: Verde (Welsh Terrier)
- Non-sporting: JJ (Lhasa Apso)