ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ

Over two days of breed competitions, seven dogs were crowned the winners in their group at the , presented by Purina Pro Plan. The conformation competitions took place on May 13 and 14 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Over 2,500 dogs were entered this year, all competing for the coveted Westminster Best in Show title.

After each breed crowns its Best of Breed during Monday and Tuesday daytime competitions, those dogs move on to Group Judging in the evening. Judges choose one dog from each of the groups, which included anywhere from 21 to 35 dogs, to represent their group in the Best in Show competition on Tuesday, May 14.

Meet the 2024 Westminster Group Winners from the Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy, and Working Groups.

Hound Group

On May 13, the first day of group judging, 35 different breeds competed in the Hound Group to crown one winner. “Louis,” GCHP Sunlit’s King of Queens, an Afghan Hound from Roseville, California, took home the top honor of the group. Louis, a 6-year-old male, is co-owned by Alicia Morrison Jones and Jamie Souza Bartlett. He and handler Morrison Jones represented the Hound Group in the Westminster Best in Show Competition.

Afghan Hounds have won Best in Show at Westminster twice. The first was Ch. Shirkhan of Grandeur in 1957, and, most recently in 1983, Ch. Kabiks The Challenger. It’s been 21 years since the breed has taken Best in Show at this prestigious dog show, and the breed has never won Reserve Best in Show at Westminster.

Toy Group

The next of the four groups judged on May 13 was the Toy Group. “Comet” GCHP CH Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, a 3-and-a-half-year-old Shih Tzu, bested 25 other breeds in the Toy Group to be named the group winner and move on to the Best in Show competition on Tuesday night.

You may recognize the Monclova, Ohio, dog and his handler, Luke Ehricht. Comet won Best in Show at the coveted American Kennel Club National Championship in December 2023. Co-owned by Luke and Diane Ehricht and Bonnie J. Miller DVM, Comet is no stranger to winning on a big stage like this.

Non-Sporting Group

Three-year-old Miniature Poodle “Sage” GCHG CH Surrey Sage, owned by Cathy Gauche, is one step closer to winning Best in Show at Westminster after winning the Non-Sporting Group. Poodle varieties have taken home 10 , and three of those wins have been from Miniature Poodles.

Sage of Houston, Texas, went up against 21 breeds in the group to win the Non-Sporting Group. Sage and her handler, Kaz Hosaka, moved on to Best in Show judging as the Non-Sporting Group representative.

Herding Group

The German Shepherd Dog bested 33 dogs to win the Herding Group during Monday night’s group judging. The Bethesda, Maryland, German Shepherd Dog “Mercedes” GCHG CH Kaleef’s Mercedes, handled by Kent Boyles, moved on to the Best in Show judging to represent the Herding Group.

Mercedes is 4 years old and co-owned by Cynthia Wilhelmy and Sheree Moses. Mercedes won Reserve Best in Show at the 2023 American Kennel Club National Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Sporting Group

The first group of night two was the Sporting Group. “Micha” GCHG CH Rejoices To The Point, the Black Cocker Spaniel was crowned the Sporting Group Winner. Joy E. Stevens is Micha’s owner, as well as breeder, and the dog was handled by Per Ingar Rismyhr.

The Westminster Kennel Club recognizes Cocker Spaniels by their separate colors: Black, Parti-Color, and A.S. C.O.B., which stands for “Any Standard Color Other than Black.” The Parti-Color and A.S.C.O.B. have once each, and the Black Cocker Spaniels have won twice at Westminster.

Working Group

Giant Schnauzer “Monty” GCHS CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB from Ocean City, New Jersey, was crowned the Westminster Working Group winner. Monty is co-owned by Sandra Nordstrom, Katherin Bernadin, and Cherlann Ambrose.

Monty, handled by Bernadin, also won the Working Group at Westminster in 2023. The Giant Schnauzer has never won Best in Show at Westminster before, but they did win Reserve Best in Show in 2018. That Giant Schnauzer, GCH Ingebar’s Tynan Dances With Wildflowers, was also owned by Nordstrom and co-owners Carol Mann and Maryann Bisceglia.

Terrier Group

Colored Bull Terrier, “Frankie,” GCHB CH Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor, won the Terrier Group at Westminster. Frankie is owned by Sarah and Joe Byezewski.

Bull Terriers have 12 different breed standard colors but two coat types: White and Colored, which includes all other colors aside from white. These other colors include brindle striping, solid color, or color with white markings. These coat types are judged separately at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. One of each coat type has won Best in Show at Westminster: the White Bull Terrier in 1918 and the Colored Bull Terrier in 2006.