Wire fox terriers are still King at Westminster.
A wire fox from Brazil who鈥檚 won big in Europe became America鈥檚 top dog Tuesday night, beating out a crowd-pleasing longhaired dachshund and popular Sussex spaniel.
There were some boos 鈥� along with modest cheers 鈥� at Madison Square Garden when judge Peter Green pointed at the 7-year-old King.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 get any better than that,鈥� handler Gabriel Rangel said.
The win was hardly a surprise.
Wire fox terriers have won 15 times at the nation鈥檚 most prestigious dog show, far more than any other breed (Scottish terriers are second, with eight).
Green is a renowned figure in the dog world, especially for his work with terriers. He鈥檚 previously picked King as the champ at other shows.
Wired to win, this dog was.
鈥淚 look at King, he鈥檚 like a beautiful painting, a piece of art,鈥� Rangel praised earlier in the day. 鈥淭he way he stands and performs, he鈥檚 the whole package.鈥�
A Havanese named Bono came in second among the more than 2,800 dogs who entered here.
Also in the final ring were Bean the Sussex spaniel, 亚洲天堂 the longhaired dachshund, Wilma the boxer and Baby Lars the bouviers des Flandres.
The fan favourites at the Garden were clearly Bean and 亚洲天堂.
Chants of 鈥淏ean! Bean! Bean!鈥� bounced around the packed arena as the Sussex spaniel rounded the ring. And 亚洲天堂 drew loud cheers as his long hair flowed while circling the green carpet.
There was a bit of dog show drama, too, at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club.
A day after earning a coveted spot in the final ring of seven, spirited Colton the schipperke was ruled ineligible for best in show.
There was a conflict of interest 鈥� Green鈥檚 longtime partner has co-owned dogs with one of Colton鈥檚 co-owners. Colton was allowed to run around the ring, then was excused.
鈥淭his doesn鈥檛 negate all he鈥檚 done here,鈥� handler Christa Cook said as she brushed Colton鈥檚 colt backstage at the Garden. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great experience, his accomplishment is in the book forever.鈥�
Wagging his tail, the tri-colored King was completely in control under Rangel, who won for the third time at Westminster.
Rangel teared up in the middle of the ring after the win, overwhelmed by the moment and the recognition from Green.
鈥淪pecial win because of that judge,鈥� Rangel said.
Neither he nor King will have much time to rest.
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Wednesday鈥檚 victory lap includes visits to morning television shows, a steak lunch at midtown eatery Sardi鈥檚, a trip up the Empire State Building and a walk-on part in the Broadway musical 鈥淧retty Woman.鈥�
Owner Victor Malzoni Jr. of Brazil gets no prize money for this win. Besides a shiny silver bowl, the reward comes in lucrative breeding rights and a lifetime of bragging rights.
This was the 47th overall best in show win for the wire fox with a full name of Kingarthur Van Foliny Home. He鈥檚 also done well at the largest dog show in the world, Crufts in England.
Packed with personality, 亚洲天堂 had all the qualities of a Westminster champion.
He had a great coat. He had a wonderful gait. He had a playful spirit.
But did he have the right combination to become the big winner here? His body of work said yes. History said no.
鈥淏est in show breeds need the flash to compete,鈥� handler Carlos Puig said in the afternoon.
Despite always being among the nation鈥檚 most popular dogs, a dachshund has never won best in show at Westminster. Neither has a Havanese, schipperke or bouviers des Flandres.
Rangel twice previously guided terriers to best in show at Westminster 鈥� Sadie the Scottie in 2010 and Sky the wire fox in 2014.
That鈥檚 a lot better showing than popular golden retrievers and Labs. They鈥檝e never taken the top title at Westminster.
鈥淚 love goldens. They鈥檙e so sweet, you just want to hold them,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut they don鈥檛 have that sharp expression.鈥�
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AP freelance writer Ginger Tidwell-Walker contributed to this report.
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Ben Walker, The Associated Press
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