NEW YORK — The 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show came to a close on Tuesday with a stunning victory for a sprightly miniature poodle named Sage. The prestigious competition, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, saw Sage beat out over 2,500 top-ranked dogs to claim the coveted title of “Best in Show.”
Sage, a 4-year-old black-colored female, represented the non-sporting group and competed against winners from six other groups – terriers, hounds, herding dogs, working dogs, sporting dogs, and toy dogs. She was the first female to win the top prize since 2020, making her victory even more special.
The miniature poodle, groomed in the traditional fluffy topiary style, was the fourth of her breed to win the top prize in the 148-year history of the contest. The larger “standard” poodle breed has won five times, while the smaller “toy” poodle breed has won twice. Originally a hunting dog from Germany, the poodle is now recognized as the national dog of France.
Sage’s handler, Kaz Hosaka, was overcome with emotion as he carried his prized poodle around the auditorium to the cheers of the crowd. This was his 45th year participating in the Westminster dog show and his last, making Sage’s win even more special for him.
The Westminster dog show is known as the second-oldest sporting event in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby. This year’s competition drew a field of contenders representing 200 breeds from all 50 states and 12 other countries.
The runner-up for the overall contest was Mercedes, a 4-year-old German shepherd who first won the top prize in the herding dog group. Along with Sage and Mercedes, the other two finalists chosen on Monday were Comet the Shih Tzu, representing the toy group, and Louis, the Afghan hound leading the hound group.
On Tuesday, three more group winners were chosen to compete in the final round – Micah the black cocker spaniel representing sporting dogs, Monty the giant schnauzer leading the working dogs, and Frankie, a colored bull terrier from the terrier group.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is not just a competition, but a celebration of the bond between humans and their canine companions. It is a platform to showcase the beauty, grace, and intelligence of pure-bred dogs and to honor the hard work and dedication of their handlers.
The event also serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible breeding and pet ownership. The Westminster Kennel Club has a long-standing commitment to promoting responsible dog ownership and encourages all dog lovers to do their part in ensuring the health and well-being of all dogs.
Sage’s victory at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a testament to the bond between humans and their furry friends. She has proven that with love, dedication, and proper training, any dog can achieve greatness. Congratulations to Sage and all the other winners at this year’s Westminster dog show. May their achievements inspire us all to be better pet owners and to appreciate the beauty and loyalty of our canine companions.
