Returning Westminster Legends, and Masters Agility and Flyball Tournament Champions, Delighted Audiences with Celebratory In-Arena Events
New York, NY (February 2, 2026) — Tonight, The Westminster Kennel Club announced the winners of the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups during night one of the milestone 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
The Afghan Hound of Ingleside, IL, handled by Wilmer Santiago and owned by Ramon Podesta, D. Scott Pfeil, James Donahue, and Armando Sobrado won the Hound Group under judge Mr. Michael Canalizo of Mill Neck, NY. Zaida, a six-year-old female officially known as GCHG CH Zaida Bint Muti Von Haussman took top honors among the 35 dogs entered in the Hound Group.
This year’s Hound Group winner received the brand new Vin-Melca Trophy, named in honor of pioneer breeder-owner-handler Pat Trotter. The trophy, named after Pat’s world-renowned Vin-Melca Norwegian Elkhounds, recognizes her remarkable achievements within the show ring, along with her steadfast dedication and passion to the sport of purpose-bred dogs.
The Maltese of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, handled by Tim Lehman and owned by Tammy A Simon & Dr. Diana Egnor, won the Toy Group under judge Ms. Charlotte Patterson of Destin, FL. Cookie, a four-year-old female officially known as GCHB CH Ta-Jon’s Made From Scratch took top honors among the 25 dogs entered in the Toy Group.
The Lhasa Apso of Manakin Sabot, VA, handled by Susan S. Giles and owned by Susan S. Giles, Cindy Sehnert, and Muriel Wolverton, won the Non-Sporting Group under judge Mr. Eugene Blake of Tulsa, OK. JJ, a five-year-old male officially known as GCHP CH Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice took top honors among the 21 dogs entered in the Non-Sporting Group.
The Old English Sheepdog of Colorado Springs, CO handled by Colton Johnson and owned by C. Heather, Michaelanne, Douglas Johnson, and Ron & Christine Perry, won the Herding Group under judge Mrs. Sheree Moses Combs of Wardensville, WV. Graham, a four-year-old male officially known as GCHB CH Bugaboo’s Give Me Smore’ took top honors among the 34 dogs entered in the Herding Group.
Monday night’s show also featured an exclusive presentation of an elite group of “Westminster Legends,” a celebratory tribute to some of the sport’s most beloved winners, including Monty the Giant Schnauzer (Best in Show 2025), Siba the Standard Poodle (Best in Show 2020), Bono the Havanese (Reserve Best in Show 2019, Toy Group 2020), Wilma the Boxer (Working Group 2019 and 2020), Striker the Samoyed (Working Group 2021 and 2022), Daniel the Golden Retriever (Sporting Group 2020), Ribbon the Australian Shepherd (Herding Group 2024), and Louis the Afghan Hound (Hound Group 2024).
Spectators also experienced action-packed races from the 13th Annual Masters Agility Championship and Flyball Tournament, which returned to Westminster for a second year by popular demand. Representatives from the winning teams – That’s So Fetch, Wicked Runners, Mass Chaos, and Jersey Shore Runners – competed in this high-energy sport that combines speed, agility, and teamwork. The 2026 Masters Agility champion, Prove-It the Border Collie, and All-American (mixed breed) winner, Iron Man, faced off against each other in a thrilling race that took place only at Madison Square Garden.
LINK TO IMAGES: HERE (populating)
Courtesy of Getty Images for The Westminster Kennel Club
LINK TO VIDEOS BELOW
Courtesy of FOX Sports
The show was televised live on FS1 and FOX One from New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the original home of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Tune in for the crowning of Best in Show live on FS1 Tuesday, February 3 from 7 – 11 p.m. ET. The Empire State Building will illuminate the New York City skyline in Westminster’s iconic purple and gold to celebrate the milestone 150th anniversary.
Westminster sees over 2,500 entries in conformation, with two days of Best of Breed judging from Monday, February 2 – Tuesday, February 3 held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, culminating with the Group and Best in Show competitions at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden.
For more information, be sure to follow The Westminster Kennel Club on social media to keep up on event news and special announcements. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
For more information, visit westminsterkennelclub.org.
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Established in 1877, The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, following the Kentucky Derby, and the longest nationally televised live dog show since 1948.
The Club’s mission is to enhance the lives of all dogs by celebrating the human-canine bond and promoting responsible dog ownership and breed preservation. Westminster advocates for purpose-bred dogs, recognizing that each breed carries a unique legacy that deserves to be taught, honored, and preserved.
Westminster Week centers around the prestigious conformation competition, open exclusively to elite dogs with Champion status, to compete for the coveted Best in Show title. Westminster’s Masters Agility Championship, alongside other canine skills competitions, welcomes dogs of all backgrounds — including mixed breeds — to showcase their speed, precision, and teamwork. Drawing top dogs, handlers, and judges from across the globe, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an international celebration of canine excellence.
Learn more at westminsterkennelclub.org. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.®
Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.
Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Pro Plan, Purina ONE, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 140 targeted formulas to help your pet thrive throughout every stage of life. It is also the food of choice for 18 of the past 19 Westminster Best in Show winners*. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.
Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
*The handler or owners of these champions may have received Purina Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors.
Media Contacts:
Allison Younger – The Westminster Kennel Club
ayounger@westminsterkennelclub.org
Alicia Mohr / Elyse Weissman – APEX PR
westminster@theapex-pr.com
