Meet All of the Group Winners of the 145th Westminster Dog Show

Every year, the Westminster Dog Show showcases the top pooches from around the country. Usually, the contest is held in Madison Square Garden in New York City with vendors and spectators, but due to COVID-19, the show took place in Tarrytown, New York, sans fans. The first competition was way back in 1877, and it happens to be the second longest-running sporting event in the United States, right after the Kentucky Derby. Originally, the show consisted of two groups, but now, it features seven groups: herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting, terrier, toy, and working, and all breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club. This year, more than 2,500 pets from 197 different breeds and varieties (including four newly-certified pups) strutted their stuff to take home the grand prize. Every dog's (and owner's and trainer's) end goal is the same: to win best in show. However, it's a long road to make it to the contest.

To even be able to compete in Westminster, dogs must participate in competitions all year long to win titles and earn a high ranking. Then, the chosen ones compete against other dogs of the same breed. Judges compare each contestant to the "ideal dog," not against each other, and determine which one is just about perfect. Once they win their breed, they are broken up into one of the seven groups. After the winner of each class is selected, the final seven dogs vie for the top prize.

This year, a pint-sized Pekingese named Wasabi, a member of the toy group, took home the top prize. However, we think every dog should have its day, so we're featuring all the winners of each class from the Westminster Dog Show. Not only are these pets rated the best of their breeds, but they also offer excellent naming inspiration. (Plus, they're all very cute.)

Wasabi

Wasabi is actually the grandson of the 2012 best in show winner, so it's not a big surprise that this pup took home the top prize. Although small in size, dogs in this class group often have big personalities. They're bred for companionship and what many people call "lapdogs."

Breed: Pekingese

Group: Toy

Bourbon

Talk about a working mom. Bourbon placed first in her group (and also the reserve best in show) three months after having her first litter of puppies. The hounds were initially part of the sporting group but were separated into their class in 1930. They are hunting dogs that track by sight or scent. Fun fact: Bourbon's handler, Cheslie Pickett Smithey, went against her husband, Justin Smithey, handler of Mathew, the French bulldog.

Breed: Whippet

Group: Hound

Connor

Connor's herding abilities makes him a farmer's best friend. He's part of the herding group, which includes breeds that have the instinct to round up livestock and other animals.

Breed: Old English Sheepdog

Group: Herding

Jade

Jade is another pup who has a champion in her bloodline. In 2016, Jade's dad won best in show, but sadly, he died this year at the age of seven years old. Sporting dogs are excellent companions and are bred to work well with hunters.

Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer

Group: Sporting

Mathew

The AKC once classified dogs into two groups: sporting and non-sporting. Eventually, after the other classes were created, there were still a handful of diverse pooches that didn't fit into the other groups, so they went into non-sporting.

Breed: French Bulldog

Group: Non-Sporting

Boy

As a member of the terrier group, dogs like Boy are known for their determination. The word terrier is derived from the Latin word terra, which means ground, as these pooches need to be small enough to be able to burrow.

Breed: West Highland White Terrier

Group: Terrier

Striker

Striker's name is a perfect reflection of the dog's beautiful coat and dazzling smile. The working class that is made up of smart dogs known for their powerful, muscular bodies.

Breed: Samoyed

Group: Working