It’s official—we have a new top dog.
The 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina Pro Plan, crowned its Best in Show winner on February 11, and the honor went to none other than Monty, the Giant Schnauzer.
Monty beat out more than 2,500 other dogs to take home the coveted title. And that wasn’t his only win of the night. He also snagged Best in Breed for the Giant Schnauzer and Best in Group for the Working Group.
This victory was extra special because it marked Monty’s third time representing the Working Group—and the first Best in Show win for the group since 2004, breaking the longest dry spell in the competition’s history.
Of course, Monty had some stiff competition. Seven gorgeous finalists, each representing their breed group, brought their A-game to the ring. The lineup included Bourbon the Whippet (Hound Group), Mercedes the German Shepherd (Herding Group), Neal the Bichon Frisé (Non-Sporting Group), Comet the Shih Tzu (Toy Group), Freddie the English Springer Spaniel (Sporting Group) and Archer the Skye Terrier (Terrier Group). Bourbon the Whippet ended up taking Reserve Best in Show (aka runner-up).
Monty, who hails from New Jersey, didn’t pull off the win alone—his handler, Katie Bernhardin, was right there with him. “He always tries so hard, and I’m just proud of him,” Bernhardin said in an interview, per the New York Post. “Puppy did the damn thing, and I’m so proud of him.”
This year’s event also marked Westminster’s grand return to Madison Square Garden after a four-year break, during which the competition was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Lyndhurst Estate due to the pandemic.
Huge congrats to Monty—now officially the goodest boy of 2025.
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