Giant schnauzer Monty wins best in show at Westminster Kennel Club dog show

NEW YORK - Monty, the giant schnauzer, claimed the coveted Best in Show title at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, capping off a stellar run that saw him make the finals for three straight years. 

The working group champion beat out six other finalists to win the top honor at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

The win is a significant moment in Westminster history, as giant schnauzers have only won the title three times before. 

Monty’s consistent performance in past years and his victory this year highlight his exceptional conformation, movement, and temperament, which set him apart from thousands of other competitors.

Why winning Westminster is a big deal

The backstory:

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is considered the most prestigious dog competition in the United States. Thousands of dogs across hundreds of breeds competed, but only seven finalists advanced to the final round.

This year’s Best in Show lineup included:

• Neal, a bichon frisé
• Archer, a Skye terrier
• Bourbon, a whippet and two-time finalist
• Comet, a shih tzu and past finalist
• Mercedes, a German shepherd who placed second last year
• Freddie, an English springer spaniel
• Monty, a giant schnauzer who has made the finals three years in a row

Each dog was judged based on how closely they align with their breed’s ideal standard.

Winning Westminster is a milestone in the dog show world. While there’s no cash prize, the recognition brings prestige, breeding opportunities, and media attention for the winner and their handlers.

The event also highlights the diversity of purebred dogs, with competitors ranging from massive mastiffs to tiny terriers. Many of the dogs also serve as therapy animals, search-and-rescue dogs, and beloved pets outside the show ring.

Spectators at Madison Square Garden cheered on their favorites, including a golden retriever named Tuffy and a Xoloitzcuintli called Calaco, who earned recognition from the judges.

How Westminster chooses the Best in Show winner

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show follows a tiered judging system to determine the Best in Show winner. 

Every dog that competes is already a champion in its breed, but the competition narrows down through multiple rounds before crowning the top dog.

The process starts with breed judging, where each dog is evaluated against the official breed standard set by the American Kennel Club. The Best of Breed winners then move on to compete in one of seven groups:

• Sporting (retrievers, spaniels, pointers)
• Hound (beagles, dachshunds, greyhounds)
• Working (boxers, Great Danes, mastiffs)
• Terrier (Scottish terriers, fox terriers, bulldogs)
• Toy (Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, pugs)
• Non-Sporting (French bulldogs, Dalmatians, poodles)
• Herding (border collies, German shepherds, corgis)

One winner from each group then advances to the Best in Show competition.

At this final stage, a single judge evaluates the seven finalists, looking for the dog that best represents its breed in appearance, movement, temperament, and overall balance. The winner earns the prestigious Best in Show title, joining a long list of celebrated champions in Westminster history.

What's next:

As Best in Show champion, Monty will embark on a media tour, making appearances on talk shows and at major events. The win also sets the stage for next year’s competition, as top dogs across the country prepare for their shot at the prestigious title.