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February 12, 2025

AP PHOTOS: Westminster is the Super Bowl of dog shows

After coming close in the last two years, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize at the

The Associated Press, Associated Press

Dogs compete in the Flyball tournament at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Katie Bernardin and Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, celebrate after winning best in show in the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lights shine before the best in show competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Katie Bernardin and Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, compete in the best in show competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Katie Bernardin kisses Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, after winning best in show in the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mercedes, a German Shepard, and its handler arrive for the best in show competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ellie, an All-American half Pomeranian and half Husky, waits for a treat at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Robin Novack, left, and Freddie, an English Springer Spaniel, compete in the sporting group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Sealyham Terrier and its handler compete in the terrier group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A dog competeswld in the Masters Agility Championship Finals during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A handlers shows a judge an Irish Red and White Setter's teeth in the sporting group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Komondor, Ranger, competes in the working group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Annie, a Russell Terrier, competes in the terrier group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A handler pulls the fur back on an Irish Water Spaniel in the sporting group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A dog competes during the junior showmanship competition at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

An attendee wears a dog pin during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mr. Joe Adamis, a Miniature Schnauzer, competes in the terrier group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keeshond dogs look up at their handlers during judging at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Champion, an All-American breed, sticks out his tongue at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colleen Swierkocki takes a photo of Diane Stenberg and her golden retriever, Brook, at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

President of the Westminster Kennel Club Donald Sturz, not pictured, shows Fiona, his pet pekingese, during an interview with The Associated Press at The New Yorker hotel, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hadley Cooper, left, and Amanda Gabriele take a selfie while watching the Masters Agility Championship Finals during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Benny, left, and Tansey, Norwich Terriers, sit in a stroller at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

An Afghan Hound dog is groomed before judging during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Komondor, Ranger, and its handler compete in the working group competition during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Barbara Mathews competes with her Russell Terrier during the junior showmanship competition at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yorkshire Terriers are groomed in the benching area at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shiba Inu dogs stand with their handlers during judging at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alicia Bismore with her dog Dazy, waits for the flyball tournament at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

An Old English Sheepdog is groomed before judging during the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)ASSOCIATED PRESS

After coming close in the last two years, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.

The spirited schnauzer bested six other finalists to become the first of his breed tapped as Westminster’s best in show, the most prestigious prize in the U.S. dog show world. The dog won the huge American Kennel Club championship in December, and he’d been to Westminster twice before.

Dog folk often call Westminster the Super Bowl of dog shows, and the comparison might be especially fitting this year. The United States’ most prestigious canine competition opened on the same weekend as pro football’s Super Bowl, which featured the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The rare coincidence comes after both competitions’ dates shifted in recent years.

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