Best in Show! National Dog Show Winners Through the Years

Mar. 15, 2025

01of 202021: ClaireStephen DonahueA back-to-back champ! On Thanksgiving Day 2021,Scottish Deerhound Claire was crowned the winnerfor the second year in a row.Even with her history of success, Claire and Lloyd did not enter the 2021 National Dog Show expecting to take home the event’s top honor.“I was thinking more about keeping her happy, getting a really good performance out of her, and just having a good time,” handler Angela Lloyd said in a statement of her approach with Claire to the 2021 show.“Claire, in her mind, really believes in herself and has a lot of confidence in who she is. And if you looked like her, wouldn’t you?” Lloyd said of the Scottish Deerhound’s winning edge, adding, “she is just truly at the top of her game.”

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2021: Claire

Stephen Donahue

A back-to-back champ! On Thanksgiving Day 2021,Scottish Deerhound Claire was crowned the winnerfor the second year in a row.

Even with her history of success, Claire and Lloyd did not enter the 2021 National Dog Show expecting to take home the event’s top honor.

“I was thinking more about keeping her happy, getting a really good performance out of her, and just having a good time,” handler Angela Lloyd said in a statement of her approach with Claire to the 2021 show.

“Claire, in her mind, really believes in herself and has a lot of confidence in who she is. And if you looked like her, wouldn’t you?” Lloyd said of the Scottish Deerhound’s winning edge, adding, “she is just truly at the top of her game.”

02of 202020: ClaireBill McCay/NBCClaire theScottish Deerhound— registered name GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser —earned the title of Best in Show for 2020after participating in a competition withno spectators, vendors, sponsors or mediadue to the coronavirus pandemic.The graceful hound came from a winning lineage. Her grandmother won Best in Show at Westminster in 2011, and her mother was the runner-up, or Reserve Best in Show, of the 2015 National Dog Show.“Claire has so many wonderful traits,” her handler, Angela Lloyd, said in a statement about the pooch’s win. “She embodies the same qualities. She is very similar to her grandmother, especially in the eyes.”

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2020: Claire

Bill McCay/NBC

Claire theScottish Deerhound— registered name GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser —earned the title of Best in Show for 2020after participating in a competition withno spectators, vendors, sponsors or mediadue to the coronavirus pandemic.

The graceful hound came from a winning lineage. Her grandmother won Best in Show at Westminster in 2011, and her mother was the runner-up, or Reserve Best in Show, of the 2015 National Dog Show.

“Claire has so many wonderful traits,” her handler, Angela Lloyd, said in a statement about the pooch’s win. “She embodies the same qualities. She is very similar to her grandmother, especially in the eyes.”

03of 202019: ThorSteve Donahue/See Spot Run PhotographyThor the Bulldog, whose registered show name is GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls,beat out thousands of other dogs to earn the top prizewith help from his handler, Eduardo Paris of Houston, Texas.“Thor won today because of his structure and because he moves so well. He has been showing since September 2018 and has won 27 specialties since he has been showing,” Paris proudly shared at the time.Before getting his ribbon, Thor won the Non-Sporting Group to make it to the final Best in Show round. Joining him in this prestigious pack was Nick the Siberian Husky, Daniel the Golden Retriever, Blaine the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Sophia the Old English Sheepdog, Bono the Havanese and Maddie the Pharaoh Hound.

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2019: Thor

Steve Donahue/See Spot Run Photography

Thor the Bulldog, whose registered show name is GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls,beat out thousands of other dogs to earn the top prizewith help from his handler, Eduardo Paris of Houston, Texas.

“Thor won today because of his structure and because he moves so well. He has been showing since September 2018 and has won 27 specialties since he has been showing,” Paris proudly shared at the time.

Before getting his ribbon, Thor won the Non-Sporting Group to make it to the final Best in Show round. Joining him in this prestigious pack was Nick the Siberian Husky, Daniel the Golden Retriever, Blaine the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Sophia the Old English Sheepdog, Bono the Havanese and Maddie the Pharaoh Hound.

04of 202018: WhiskeySteven Donahue/See Spot Run PhotographyThe No. 1 hound in the country took home the 2018 title, his 20th Best in Show win in just 18 months. But his owners said Whiskey is more than just a show dog.“First and foremost, he is our companion and pet — we love him; he sleeps in our bed,“Chelsea Smithey told PEOPLEin 2018. “I could show you all of these pictures on my phone of him curled upside down, every which way, hanging off the bed. I mean, he’s just a great dog.”

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2018: Whiskey

Steven Donahue/See Spot Run Photography

The No. 1 hound in the country took home the 2018 title, his 20th Best in Show win in just 18 months. But his owners said Whiskey is more than just a show dog.

“First and foremost, he is our companion and pet — we love him; he sleeps in our bed,“Chelsea Smithey told PEOPLEin 2018. “I could show you all of these pictures on my phone of him curled upside down, every which way, hanging off the bed. I mean, he’s just a great dog.”

05of 202017: NewtonSteven Donahue/See Spot Run PhotographyNewton the Brussels Griffon, known in the show circuit as GCH Somerset Wynzall Hashtag, beat out more than 2,000 other dogs for the Best in Show title in 2017, taking the Toy Group before winning the final ribbon. The pair had some sweet victory plans to celebrate.“I think we’re going to get an ice cream,” handler Susan Dipew told PEOPLE about Newton’s post-win schedule.

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2017: Newton

Newton the Brussels Griffon, known in the show circuit as GCH Somerset Wynzall Hashtag, beat out more than 2,000 other dogs for the Best in Show title in 2017, taking the Toy Group before winning the final ribbon. The pair had some sweet victory plans to celebrate.

“I think we’re going to get an ice cream,” handler Susan Dipew told PEOPLE about Newton’s post-win schedule.

06of 202016: GiaBill McCay/NBC/NBCU Photo BankThe greyhound earned her 44th Best in Show title at the 2016 National Dog Show in Philadelphia.“Gia fits the Greyhound standard perfectly and also gives that extra showmanship,” offered Best in Show judge James G. Reynolds of Ottawa, Canada. “She has a head like a snake and can really gallop. A lot of Greyhounds don’t have that showmanship.”

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2016: Gia

Bill McCay/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

The greyhound earned her 44th Best in Show title at the 2016 National Dog Show in Philadelphia.

“Gia fits the Greyhound standard perfectly and also gives that extra showmanship,” offered Best in Show judge James G. Reynolds of Ottawa, Canada. “She has a head like a snake and can really gallop. A lot of Greyhounds don’t have that showmanship.”

07of 202015: CharlieBill McCay/NBC/NBCU Photo BankCharlie, the spunky Skye terrier — whose formal name is GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie —earned the top prize in 2015. The pooch, who walked with handler Larry Cornelius, has nabbed 79 Best in Show titles in his career and had over 200 1st place finishes in the terrier group.“The moment he entered the ring, I turned to [co-host David Frei] and said, ‘Wow..! Heads and tails above the competition,” hostJohn O’Hurleyrecalled of Charlie.

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2015: Charlie

Charlie, the spunky Skye terrier — whose formal name is GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie —earned the top prize in 2015. The pooch, who walked with handler Larry Cornelius, has nabbed 79 Best in Show titles in his career and had over 200 1st place finishes in the terrier group.

“The moment he entered the ring, I turned to [co-host David Frei] and said, ‘Wow..! Heads and tails above the competition,” hostJohn O’Hurleyrecalled of Charlie.

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2014: Nathan

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2013: Jewel

10of 202012: SkyBill McCay/NBC/NBCU Photo BankGCH Afterall Painting the Sky (a.k.a. Sky) was named the 2012 Best in Show winner. It marked the first time that the same breed has consecutively won the top spot at a major competition since an English springer spaniel won Westminster in 1971 and 1972.“Sky is a very beautiful wire fox terrier,” handler Gabriel Rangel said post-victory. “She is a natural show dog with a short, well-balanced body. She has a beautiful head and her face is unbelievable.”

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2012: Sky

GCH Afterall Painting the Sky (a.k.a. Sky) was named the 2012 Best in Show winner. It marked the first time that the same breed has consecutively won the top spot at a major competition since an English springer spaniel won Westminster in 1971 and 1972.

“Sky is a very beautiful wire fox terrier,” handler Gabriel Rangel said post-victory. “She is a natural show dog with a short, well-balanced body. She has a beautiful head and her face is unbelievable.”

11of 202011: EiraThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaOne year prior, this lady won the prize. Eira, which means snow in Welsh, bested nearly 1,500 dogs at the 2011 anniversary show. Formally known as Ch. Steele Your Heart, Eira took the top honors in the terrier group. This win marked the dog’s 17th Best in Show title.“She looks beautiful, and she moves beautifully,” said handler Rangel. “Eira moves as well as she stacks.“Judge Karen Wilson, who selected the canine, added, “She is a spectacular show dog, the epitome. She has a superior coat.”

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2011: Eira

The Kennel Club of Philadelphia

One year prior, this lady won the prize. Eira, which means snow in Welsh, bested nearly 1,500 dogs at the 2011 anniversary show. Formally known as Ch. Steele Your Heart, Eira took the top honors in the terrier group. This win marked the dog’s 17th Best in Show title.

“She looks beautiful, and she moves beautifully,” said handler Rangel. “Eira moves as well as she stacks.”

Judge Karen Wilson, who selected the canine, added, “She is a spectacular show dog, the epitome. She has a superior coat.”

12of 202010: ClooneyThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaThe Irish Setter wasn’t only perfect in the ring — he had personality, too.“He loves the attention; he loves people; he loves being in the ring and being around all the people and everyone fussing over him,” said handler Peter Kubacz after Clooney claimed the title of Best in Show in 2010. “He is a great show dog in that regard.”

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2010: Clooney

The Irish Setter wasn’t only perfect in the ring — he had personality, too.

“He loves the attention; he loves people; he loves being in the ring and being around all the people and everyone fussing over him,” said handler Peter Kubacz after Clooney claimed the title of Best in Show in 2010. “He is a great show dog in that regard.”

13of 202009: SadieAli Goldstein/NBCU Photo BankThe Scottish terrier captured hearts and went on tocapture another big title: Best in Showat the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that following February.“I’m just very proud of Sadie because she accomplished such a win,” Rangel told PEOPLE at the time. “She’s such a wonderful show dog, and I was very excited to see her reach that level. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness.”

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2009: Sadie

Ali Goldstein/NBCU Photo Bank

The Scottish terrier captured hearts and went on tocapture another big title: Best in Showat the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that following February.

“I’m just very proud of Sadie because she accomplished such a win,” Rangel told PEOPLE at the time. “She’s such a wonderful show dog, and I was very excited to see her reach that level. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness.”

14of 202008: HollyAli Goldstein/NBCU Photo BankDuring her time as a show dog, this Pointer garnered 10 Best in Show titles in a row, winning a total of 116 Best in Shows, making her the most decorated Sporting Dog in history.

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2008: Holly

During her time as a show dog, this Pointer garnered 10 Best in Show titles in a row, winning a total of 116 Best in Shows, making her the most decorated Sporting Dog in history.

15of 202007: SwizzleThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaThe adorable Australian shepherd earned attention for his unique coat, among other attributes.

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2007: Swizzle

The adorable Australian shepherd earned attention for his unique coat, among other attributes.

16of 202006: VikkiThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaVikki the Toy Poodle was an obvious favorite to win in her year, arriving from Japan not long before as the No. 1 toy poodle and winner of several Best in Show titles.

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2006: Vikki

Vikki the Toy Poodle was an obvious favorite to win in her year, arriving from Japan not long before as the No. 1 toy poodle and winner of several Best in Show titles.

17of 202005: RufusThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaIn his heyday, Rufus the bull terrier won the National Dog Show, the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Show and Westminster Kennel Club Show. He later became acertified therapy dog and a therapy dog ambassadorfor the National Dog Show.

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2005: Rufus

In his heyday, Rufus the bull terrier won the National Dog Show, the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Show and Westminster Kennel Club Show. He later became acertified therapy dog and a therapy dog ambassadorfor the National Dog Show.

18of 202004: GracieThe Kennel Club of PhiladelphiaGracie the Fox terrier also became a therapy dog upon her exit from the show world, visiting retirement homes to bring smiles to seniors.

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2004: Gracie

Gracie the Fox terrier also became a therapy dog upon her exit from the show world, visiting retirement homes to bring smiles to seniors.

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2003: Raisin

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2002: Miki

source: people.com