Winston becomes first French Bulldog in history to win Best in Show at National Dog Show
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A French Bulldog named Winston has pulled off a feat never seen before at America's National Dog Show.
The annual event that judges only the best boys and girls has crowned loads of breeds in the past.
However, the humble Frenchie has always missed out on the top spot.
That's despite the breed being the second-most popular in the US, with Labrador retrievers being the number one.
Whether it's their adorable dopey look on their face, their sometimes labored breathing or because they have a gorgeous waddle when they walk, it's unclear why a French Bulldog has never sat on the National Dog Show throne.
However, that was until Winston entered this year's competition.
A bouncy, crowd-pleasing French Bulldog, Winston, was declared Best In Show at Philadelphia’s prestigious National Dog Show Presented by Purina, Thanksgiving Day. Winston has 78 Best In Shows in his career. Perry Payson of Bixby, Oklahoma, guided Winston to the win as handler. pic.twitter.com/8O6DFjAQi7
— National Dog Show (@TheNatlDogShow) November 24, 2022
What's even more hilarious is that Winston didn't even compete under that name.
NPR says the pooch was officially known at the National Dog Show as 'GCHP Fox Canyon's I Won The War at Goldshield'.
Now that is the name of a winner.
The French Bulldog had already won 77 Best in Show competitions when he stepped into the 2022 National Dog Show.
He was up against some stiff competition as the event saw 1,500 contestants from 200 breeds.
But Winston managed to pull off the seemingly impossible and etch his name into the history books.
His name was read out at the end of the tournament as Best in Show and his owner couldn't have been more pleased.
The National Dog Show's Best in Show judge Vicki Seiler-Cushman said in a statement to People magazine: "He is a show dog with personality and beauty and a perfect fit for the breed.
Winston, the French Bulldog, has won the #NationalDogShow presented by @Purina!
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 24, 2022
📺 @nbc and @peacock pic.twitter.com/U9HLhmJFoc
“He has a razzle-dazzle that says, ‘I am here to win tonight'.
"You can just tell that he can also go home and be the perfect pet.”
Winning his 78th Best in Show now makes Winston the number one ranked all-breed canine in the US.
Not bad for a Frenchie.
Purina, who sponsors the event, had nothing but praise for Winston.
"What a pawsitively handsome boy! Congratulations to Winston and all the amazing dogs in this year’s #NationalDogShow," it wrote on Twitter.
Others were quick to congratulate the dog, with one person saying: "Legendary moment."
Another added: "Congrats to the very good boy, Winston."
Featured Image Credit: National Dog Show/Twitter. NBC
Topics: Animals
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