Only one dog gets to leave the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with a silver bowl and a comically large purple-and-yellow ribbon, and it seemed pretty clear as the judging unfolded on Tuesday night that best in show would be bestowed upon Monty, a giant schnauzer. He came into the competition as the top-ranked dog in the country and walked around Madison Square Garden like he owned the place.
That the field of dogs around him was so accomplished, and so stunning, only made his victory lap more impressive. But along the way, some crowd favorites were noted — the golden retriever who could not make it out of the sporting group despite raucous cheers — and some top contenders for future years were identified.
As always, the dogs were not judged against one another, per se, but were considered for how closely they adhered to their own breed’s standards. The seven group winners all delivered in that regard. Here is a look at what made each impossible to forget.
Archer: Most Addams Family!
The Skye terrier seemed to hydroplane across the judging ring with ease on his way to winning the terrier group — even though his pin-straight silver coat hung like a fringe around his entire body, covering his legs and eyes like a dog show version of Cousin Itt.