Meet the seven dogs named 'Best in Show' finalists at Westminster

Published: May 15, 2024, 4:51 p.m.

There's a new top dog in New York. "Sage," the Miniature Poodle, won the Best in Show honor at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday, beating over 2,500 dogs of more than 200 different breeds for the ultimate prize. Sage, a three-year-old from Houston, Texas, was handled by Kaz Hosaka in the last show of his career. Sage is the first poodle to win Best in Show since 2020. The winner was selected by Best in Show judge Rosalind Kramer, out of High Point, North Carolina. "Mercedes," the German Shepherd, a 4-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland, was named the Reserve Best in Show, the runner up of the greatest dog in America. Here is the full list of finalists: Herding Group: Mercedes (German Shepherd) Hound Group: Louis (Afghan Hound) Non-Sporting Group: Sage (Miniature Poodle) Sporting Group: Micah (Black Cocker Spaniel) Terrier Group: Frankie (Colored Bull Terrier) Toy Group: Comet (Shih Tzu) Working Group: Monty (Giant Schnauzer)

Winner of best in show, miniature poodle GCHG CH Surrey Sage, owned by Cathy Gauche and shown by Kaz Hosaka, during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Winner of best in show, the miniature poodle, GCHG CH Surrey Sage, owned by Cathy Gauche and shown by Kaz Hosaka during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Kaleef's Mercedes, owned by Cynthian Wilhelmy & Sheree Moses, makes a runner up finish in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor, owned by Sarah Byzewski & Joe Byzewski, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Kaleef's Mercedes, owned by Cynthian Wilhelmy & Sheree Moses, makes a runner up finish in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Winner of the terrier category, GCHB CH Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor, owned by Sarah Byzewski & Joe Byzewski during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Sunlit's King Of Queens, owned by Alicia Morrison Jones & Jamie Souza Bartlett, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Sunlit's King Of Queens, owned by Alicia Morrison Jones & Jamie Souza Bartlett, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, owned by Bonnie J Miller DVM & Luke & Diane Ehricht, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, owned by Bonnie J Miller DVM & Luke & Diane Ehricht, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain, owned by Sandra Nordstrom & Katherine Bernardin & Cherlann Ambrose, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Winner of the working dog category, the giant schnauzer, GCHS CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, owned by Sandra Nordstrom & Katherine Bernardin & Cherlann Ambrose during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Rejoices To The Point, owned by Joy E Stevens, competes in the best of show contest during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Winner of the Sporting Dog category, the black cocker spaniel, GCHG CH Rejoices To The Point, owned by Joy E Stevens, during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.