Familiar Breed Is America's New Top Dog

Wire fox terriers are still King at Westminster. A wire fox from Brazil who has won big in Europe became America's top dog Tuesday night, beating out a crowd-pleasing longhaired dachshund and a popular Sussex spaniel. There were some boos—along with modest cheers—at Madison Square Garden when judge Peter Green pointed at the 7-year-old named King. "It doesn't get any better than that," handler Gabriel Rangel said. The win was hardly a surprise. Wire fox terriers have won 15 times at the nation's most prestigious dog show, far more than any other breed, the AP reports. Scottish terriers are second, with eight.

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, Burns the longhaired dachshund, Wilma the boxer, and Baby Lars the bouviers des Flandres. 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—Green's longtime partner has co-owned dogs with one of Colton's co-owners. Colton was allowed to run around the ring, then was excused. (In 2015, a beagle was the surprise winner.)