Kristen RidleyVito the Pug claimed the prestigious Best in Show title at the 92nd National Dog Show Presented by Purina, marking the first pug victory in the competition’s two-decade television history.
The three-year-old champion, who previously earned Best of Breed at Westminster and the AKC National Show in 2023, demonstrated exceptional form against competitors from 205 breeds at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
“I’m so proud of him,” said Vito’s handler Michael Scott. “Vito has a beautiful head and expression. Great outline”.
The competition featured notable finalists across seven groups, including Rupert the Berger Picard in Herding, Monty the Giant Schnauzer in Working, Houston the Clumber Spaniel in Sporting, The Zit the Ibizan Hound, JJ the Lhasa Apso in Non-sporting, and Verde the Welsh Terrier, who earned Reserve Best in Show.
This year’s show introduced the Lancashire Heeler to the competition, following the breed’s official recognition by the American Kennel Club in January 2024. The event, celebrating its 23rd year on NBC, was hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei, with Mary Carillo and Britney Eurton joining the broadcast team.
The National Dog Show, which began in 1879 as the Kennel Club of Philadelphia Dog Show, has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition, attracting nearly 20 million viewers annually. The competition featured approximately 2,000 dogs competing across seven groups: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy, and working.
Citations:
[1] https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/pets/ready-pet-go/what-to-expect-2024-national-dog-show-thanksgiving-day-ready-pet-go/95-1795d9d0-6fb7-4286-8263-4ba91ee3beb7
[2] https://www.npr.org/2024/11/27/nx-s1-5207906/westminster-national-dog-show-thanksgiving-akc
[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/national-dog-show-2024-how-watch-time-stream-channel-rcna181019
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiasSi0W1A
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Dog_Show
[6] https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10145107-national-dog-show-2024-results-best-in-show-and-list-of-winners
[7] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/watch-national-dog-show/
[8] https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024
[9] https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/WC193
[10] https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-q-and-a
[11] https://www.today.com/health/news/teen-hospitalized-mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-e-coli-rcna177820
Kristen Ridley