After two days of competition in New York, seven dogs remain in contention for the Westminster Kennel Club’s top honor as the 150th annual show approaches its conclusion at Madison Square Garden. The field was cut from roughly 2,500 entrants across more than 200 breeds; the eventual Best in Show winner will take home a trophy, ribbons and the prestige of winning the milestone event. Finalists announced so far include Zaida (an Afghan hound), JJ (a Lhasa apso), Cookie (a Maltese), Graham (an Old English sheepdog), Cota (a Chesapeake Bay retriever) and Penny (a Doberman pinscher), with one additional finalist to be named Tuesday night. The championship round will pair that last selection against the six already chosen for the Best in Show decision.
Key Takeaways
- About 2,500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds competed over two days to reach the Westminster Kennel Club semifinals in New York.
- Six finalists named so far are Zaida (Afghan hound), JJ (Lhasa apso), Cookie (Maltese), Graham (Old English sheepdog), Cota (Chesapeake Bay retriever) and Penny (Doberman pinscher); one finalist remains to be named Tuesday night.
- The winner will claim Best in Show at Madison Square Garden and the distinction of taking the 150th annual Westminster title.
- Semifinal rounds produced crowd favorites and viral moments: a hairless Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a vizsla called Beamer, and a Newfoundland dubbed Storm drew notable reaction.
- Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, made history by advancing after the breed became eligible for the first time this year, beating roughly 10 other farmdogs to reach evening competition.
- Amateur and first-time handlers made visible progress: Neapolitan mastiff Dezi is handled and bred by owner Joseph Carrero, who balances full-time work with showing the dog.
Background
The Westminster Kennel Club show is one of the United States’ oldest and most prestigious dog competitions, and this year marks its 150th edition. Historically, Best in Show winners often have ties to professional handlers or owners with decades of experience; that tradition has shaped expectations for which dogs make the final cut. The event draws a wide public audience and strong media attention, amplifying both competitive outcomes and lighter, viral moments from the rings. Breed eligibility and the inclusion of newly recognized breeds can shift entry pools and public interest, as seen with the Danish-Swedish farmdog this year.
Madison Square Garden has long been the venue for the show’s climax, providing a high-profile stage where judges evaluate conformation to breed standards. The competition is limited to champions — dogs that have already earned qualifying titles — which makes even reaching the Westminster ring a significant achievement for owners and handlers. In recent years, social media amplified particular performances, turning some competitors into overnight sensations and influencing public perception of the show. Organizers, breeders and handlers all weigh prestige, breeding implications and marketplace effects when a dog advances at Westminster.
Main Event
Two nights of semifinals narrowed the field. Judges assessed movement, structure and breed-specific traits across diverse breeds; the setting produced both highly polished presentations and spontaneous crowd-pleasing moments. Among the finalists named are Zaida the Afghan hound, noted for breed-typical silhouette and carriage, and JJ the Lhasa apso, representing an ancient companion breed in the final slate.
Other finalists include Cookie the Maltese and Graham the Old English sheepdog, breeds often admired for their distinctive coats and ring presence. Cota, listed as a Chesapeake Bay retriever, and Penny, a Doberman pinscher, rounded out the six announced finalists; each won its group to reach the Best in Show competition. The seventh finalist will be revealed Tuesday night before the final judging sequence begins.
The semifinals also created memorable, non-finalist moments that energized the crowd: Calaco the Xoloitzcuintli moved confidently despite being a hairless breed; Beamer the vizsla hopped into a prop box and charmed onlookers; Storm the Newfoundland made a playful show of his size by leaning on his handler. Spectators’ reactions ranged from loud cheers for a golden retriever named Oliver to chants for a Pekingese called Lumpy, underscoring the event’s mix of serious competition and public entertainment.
Analysis & Implications
The 150th Westminster show is as much a cultural milestone as a sporting contest for dogs. That symbolic weight draws attention to how breed standards and judging practices shape which dogs are rewarded — and which traits are promoted in breeding programs. A win at Westminster can raise a dog’s profile dramatically, affecting breeding demand and stud fees, and influencing breeding decisions within a given breed community.
The presence of first-time handlers and newly eligible breeds like the Danish-Swedish farmdog highlights an evolving participant base. When nonprofessional owners advance, it can broaden public engagement and signal that pathways into top-level competition are not exclusively the domain of veteran handlers. Yet the event’s long-standing bias toward professional handling expertise means the structural advantages for experienced teams remain significant.
Social-media friendly moments from the ring — the hairless dog with swagger, or a giant mastiff greeting fans — extend the show’s impact beyond judges’ decisions. Viral attention can shift public interest toward particular breeds, sometimes increasing demand that breeders and welfare advocates must manage responsibly. Organizers, clubs and judges thus face trade-offs between celebrating diverse entries and guarding against unintended consequences like irresponsible breeding or impulsive purchases.
Comparison & Data
| Name | Breed | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Zaida | Afghan hound | Finalist — classic silhouette and coat |
| JJ | Lhasa apso | Finalist — companion breed representation |
| Cookie | Maltese | Finalist — small white-coated breed |
| Graham | Old English sheepdog | Finalist — distinctive coat and size |
| Cota | Chesapeake Bay retriever | Finalist — working retriever type |
| Penny | Doberman pinscher | Finalist — sleek working breed |
| To be named | — | Seventh finalist announced Tuesday night |
The table summarizes the six finalists revealed and the pending seventh. These finalists emerged from group wins and semifinals among roughly 2,500 entrants and more than 200 breeds, showing both the variety and the concentrated competition at Westminster.
Reactions & Quotes
Handlers and owners reflected on personal journeys to the Westminster ring, emphasizing dedication and, for some, long-held dreams realized by competing on this stage.
“It’s been a very exciting journey.”
Brita Lemmon, Danish-Swedish farmdog exhibitor
Lemmon’s comment came after her farmdog, Coyote, competed on the show’s floor; the remark underscores the breed community’s effort to establish the Danish-Swedish farmdog in the U.S. market after recent eligibility changes. Her perspective frames Millie’s semifinal advance as part of a broader push to place the breed in mainstream competition.
“It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it.”
Joseph Carrero, owner-handler of Dezi, Neapolitan mastiff
Carrero spoke about balancing full-time work and handling Dezi, the 190-pound Neapolitan mastiff who has become a center of attention. His experience illustrates how owner-handled entries can reach high-profile rings despite logistical challenges.
“Honestly, the big win is: you’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him.”
Natalee Ridenhour, owner of Invictus, Boerboel
Ridenhour offered this reflection after Invictus, a 170-pound Boerboel, failed to advance but nonetheless engaged the public. Her remark points to the social and emotional rewards of bringing large, unconventional show dogs to a mainstream audience.
Unconfirmed
- The identity of the seventh finalist will not be official until judges announce it Tuesday night; any speculative lists circulating prior to the announcement are unverified.
- No official changes to judging criteria for the 150th anniversary have been announced; suggestions of special rules or altered evaluation standards remain unconfirmed.
Bottom Line
The 150th Westminster Kennel Club show pairs deep tradition with a growing variety of participants and breeds, producing both a high-stakes competition and memorable public moments. With six finalists named and one more to be revealed Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the Best in Show decision will crown a dog amid broad public attention and potential marketplace ripple effects for the winning breed.
Beyond the trophy, this year’s contest highlights two trends: increased visibility for newly eligible breeds and meaningful appearances by owner-handled entries. Observers should watch how the winner’s profile affects demand and breeding practices, and whether social-media-fueled moments continue to shape which dogs capture the public imagination.