“I’m just ecstatic,” Helmer said. Outside the ring, she said, Trumpet “has a lot of attitude and he’s a little crazy.”
Trumpet bested six other finalists:
Winston, who was awarded Reserve Best in Show, or runner-up, is no stranger to excelling in competition. The French bulldog counts Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox among his owners.
“If this is how my parents felt watching my games all these years I apologize,” he tweeted while watching the show, following up upon Winston’s runner-up title: “So proud!”
Winston bulldozed his way to beating out 20 other nonsporting dogs. Winston’s cute steps across the floor to showcase his stature were met with enthusiastic cheers from onlookers and even more once he was named winner of the group.
Winston’s “big bat ears,” round eyes and good genes make him exceptional in his category, his handler and co-owner Perry Payson told Fox Sports moments after the victory.
MM, a 6-year-old Lakeland terrier, won the terrier group. She was best of the breed in the 2021 National Dog Show.
Striker the Samoyed — full name GCHP CH Vanderbilt ’N Printemp’s Lucky Strike — was the favorite in the working-group category and took the title, edging out a Doberman pinscher.
Belle the English setter won the sporting group category, leaving her proud breeder, owner and handler Amanda Ciaravino in tears. “Is this real life? Oh my god. … I’m so proud of her.”
Hollywood the Maltese also demonstrated what perfection looks like on a toy pooch. Her well-groomed, silky white hairs trailed behind her like paparazzi as she jogged along the green stage to be judged.
“She has beautiful hair texture,” her handler, Tim Lehman, said. “I think she’s a great representation of what a Maltese should look like.”
Lehman said Hollywood loves being in the ring and life outside competition.
German shepherd River seemingly floated to first place in the herding category.
When his handler, Lenny R. Brown, was asked about what separated River from the other first-rate dogs in his category, the answer was simple: “The standard.”
The Westminster Kennel Club event was held on the grounds of the Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y. It was moved from Madison Square Garden in New York City to the smaller venue last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.