The 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show culminated with the crowning of Sage, a Miniature Poodle who secured the coveted Best in Show title, captivating audiences with a flawless performance, impeccable grooming, and a commanding presence on the green carpet at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
Introduction to the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show stands as America's second-consecutive longest-running continuously held sporting event, trailing only the Kentucky Derby. In May 2024, the historic event returned to its outdoor and sprawling venue setting at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, New York. Over the course of several days, thousands of elite dogs representing hundreds of recognized breeds and varieties converged on Queens to compete for the ultimate title in the canine world.
For enthusiasts, breeders, and casual viewers alike, the event represents the pinnacle of purebred dog breeding, showcasing structural soundness, breed standard adherence, temperament, and training. The 2024 iteration brought fresh excitement, dynamic group competitions, and a historic Best in Show victory that highlighted the elegance and athleticism of the Non-Sporting Group. This comprehensive review examines the final winners, the standout breeds across the seven official groups, the judging criteria, and the enduring visual legacy captured by world-class photographers at the event.
Understanding the Westminster Competition Structure
To appreciate the significance of the 2024 winners, it is essential to understand the rigorous qualification and elimination process that governs the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Unlike many open-entry benched shows, Westminster is strictly an invitation-only event. Eligibility is generally restricted to dogs that have achieved top-tier rankings in their respective breed classes during the preceding calendar year, ensuring that only the country’s finest specimens grace the green carpet.
The Breed, Variety, and Group Hierarchy
The competition unfolds in a multi-tiered elimination structure designed to narrow down thousands of elite canines to a single champion:
- Best of Breed / Variety: Judges evaluate individual entries against the written standard established by the respective national parent club for that breed. Dogs are judged on temperament, movement, structure, coat, and overall balance.
- Group Placement: The winners of each individual breed advance to one of seven recognized AKC groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Within each group, a judge selects a First, Second, Third, and Fourth place winner.
- Best in Show: The victorious first-place winner from each of the seven groups advances to the final round. Here, a single esteemed all-breed judge evaluates the finalists to determine the ultimate Best in Show winner.
| AKC Group | Description & Typical Characteristics | 2024 Group Winner Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Sporting | Developed to assist hunters in finding, flushing, and retrieving game birds. High energy and cooperative. | Impeccable pointers, spaniels, and retrievers demonstrating drive. |
| Hound | Ancient breeds bred for hunting by scent or visual tracking. Diverse sizes and vocalizations. | Sighthounds and scenthounds showcasing exceptional endurance and form. |
| Working | Developed to perform jobs such as guarding property, pulling sleds, and performing water rescues. | Powerful, muscular breeds displaying immense strength and loyalty. |
| Terrier | Feisty, energetic dogs traditionally bred to hunt and kill vermin. Independent and bold. | High-spirited contestants with characteristic drive and wiry coats. |
| Toy | Miniature companions bred specifically for residency in palaces and human laps. Affectionate and alert. | Tiny dynamos exhibiting outsized personalities and flawless grooming. |
| Non-Sporting | A diverse, heterogeneous group of robust companion and utility breeds with varied histories. | Dominated by the ultimate Best in Show victor. |
| Herding | Originally bred to control the movement of livestock. Highly intelligent and trainable. | Agile competitors displaying supreme focus and swift directional control. |
The 2024 Best in Show Winner: Sage the Miniature Poodle
The dramatic climax of the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show arrived on a Tuesday evening inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, where judge Rosalind Kramer surveyed seven magnificent group winners. When Kramer pointed her finger toward GCHP CH Surrey Sugar Daddy—known affectionately as "Sage"—the arena erupted in applause.
Sage, a three-year-old Miniature Poodle handled and co-owned by Kaz Hosaka, delivered a masterclass in ring presence. Poodles are judged by exacting standards regarding coat clipping, structural angulation, and buoyant gait. Sage exhibited a classic Continental clip, with perfectly sculpted pompoms and a dense, springy coat that bounced effortlessly with every stride. Hosaka, a legendary handler retiring from professional handling after this historic win, guided Sage with a subtle, seamless connection that allowed the dog's natural charisma to shine.
What Made Sage Stand Out?
Beyond her striking visual presentation, Sage embodied the functional ideal of the Miniature Poodle. Originally bred as a water retriever, the breed requires an athletic frame beneath the ornate grooming. Sage possessed:
- Balanced Angulation: Front and rear assemblies that allowed for a powerful, reach-and-drive movement without wasted motion.
- Exceptional Temperament: Absolute composure amidst flashing cameras, roaring crowds, and intense television production lights.
- Breed Type: A correct dark, oval eye, balanced skull-to-muzzle ratio, and a proud, high-carried neck.
Sage's victory marked the 11th time a Poodle (across all three recognized size varieties: Standard, Miniature, and Toy) claimed the ultimate Westminster crown, cementing the breed's status as a powerhouse in the conformation ring.
The Reserve Best in Show (Best Runner-Up): Monty the Giant Schnauzer
In modern Westminster tradition, judges also select a Reserve Best in Show winner, colloquially known as the runner-up. For 2024, that high honor went to GCHP CH Skansen's Holy Knight, a magnificent Giant Schnauzer known as "Monty," representing the Working Group.
Co-owned by Shannon Prince, Corey Halldorson, and Joan Fox, Monty brought rugged power and imposing stature to the final ring. Giant Schnauzers are imposing working dogs bred for guarding and driving cattle, requiring a combination of immense physical strength and unwavering stability. Monty’s harsh, wiry black coat, aristocratic bearing, and intense focus captured the admiration of Working Group judge Dr. Donald Sturz Jr. and Final judge Rosalind Kramer alike. His placement underscored the versatility and commanding presence of the working breeds in top-tier competition.
Group Winners and Standout Breeds of 2024
The journey to the final ring required defeating elite competition across all seven AKC groups. Each group featured unforgettable moments, stunning photographic subjects, and remarkable representatives of canine diversity.
Sporting Group
The Sporting Group showcased high-drive flushing dogs, pointers, and retrievers. The group was fiercely contested by top-ranking English Springer Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shorthaired Pointers. These breeds demand exceptional muscle tone, soft mouths for carrying game, and tireless stamina. Photographers frequently highlight Sporting breeds for their expressive eyes and classic, statuesque silhouettes against the ring lighting.
Hound Group
From the desert-forged Afghan Hound to the diminutive, tracking-focused Beagle, the Hound Group offered a masterclass in anatomical variety. Sighthounds like the Borzoi and Whippet brought breathtaking elegance and fluid, rolling strides to the green carpet, while scenthounds demonstrated low-to-the-ground power and deep, resonant vocalizations during pre-judging routines.
Working Group
Dominated by massive guard and draft dogs, the Working Group featured Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and the aforementioned Giant Schnauzer. These dogs require immense bone structure and deep chests. The visual contrast between the handlers and these colossal, powerful canines remains one of the most photographed spectacles of the entire show.
Terrier Group
Known for their fierce independence and unyielding tenacity, the Terrier Group featured immaculate Wire Fox Terriers, Scottish Terriers, and Miniature Bull Terriers. Trimming and hand-stripping a terrier coat to perfection is an art form requiring dozens of hours of meticulous labor. The crisp outlines and fiery attitudes of the terriers kept spectators riveted.
Toy Group
Despite their small physical stature, Toy breeds command oversized attention. Pomeranians with cloud-like coats, impeccably groomed Toy Poodles, and expressive Papillons with their signature winged ears delighted the audience. The agility and high-stepping movement of dogs like the Brussels Griffon and the Pekingese showcased the incredible spectrum of companion-focused breeding.
Non-Sporting Group
While the Non-Sporting Group houses a diverse collection of breeds that do not neatly fit into hunting or working categories—including Dalmatians, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Bichons Frisé—it was Sage the Miniature Poodle who stole the spotlight, carrying the group banner all the way to the ultimate Best in Show trophy.
Herding Group
The Herding Group displayed supreme intelligence, agility, and responsiveness. Border Collies, German Shepherd Dogs, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis exhibited the kind of sharp focus and athletic drive that stems from centuries of working alongside shepherds. Their ability to turn on a dime and maintain intense eye contact with their handlers makes them perennial crowd favorites.
Capturing the Magic: Photography at Westminster
The phrase "stunning photos" is inextricably linked to the appeal of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Professional canine photographers face unique challenges when capturing the event:
- Lighting Dynamics: Arena lighting can create harsh shadows or washed-out highlights on white coats (such as Poodles and Bichons) while obscuring dark details on black coats (such as Giant Schnauzers and Black Labs).
- Action Timing: Photographers must anticipate the exact microsecond a dog extends its gait to capture the floating suspension phase—where all four paws leave the ground simultaneously.
- Emotional Nuance: The bond between handler and dog is paramount. Capturing a shared glance, a subtle ear twitch, or the exuberant joy of a winning team requires deep familiarity with canine body language.
Iconic images from the 2024 show featured dramatic low-angle shots of sighthounds in motion, close-ups of intricately sculpted coiffures glistening under arena spotlights, and emotional candids of handlers celebrating victory on the green carpet. These visual records serve as both artistic achievements and historical documentation of breed type evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Westminster Dog Show
How do dogs qualify to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?
Dogs qualify by achieving high rankings within their breed during the previous competition year. Specifically, invitation criteria typically require a dog to be ranked among the top five in its breed points standings or to have won a designated specialty show or Best in Show award at an all-breed event.
Is the Westminster Dog Show open to mixed-breed dogs?
No. Conformation competition at Westminster is exclusively restricted to purebred dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, mixed-breed dogs and non-purebreds are welcome to compete in the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship, which are held during Westminster Week.
What is the history behind the green carpet at Westminster?
The signature green carpet, which mimics the look of a pristine lawn, was introduced to provide better traction and footing for both handlers and dogs running in the conformation rings. It also creates a high-contrast visual background that makes the coats and movement of the dogs pop vividly in photographs and television broadcasts.
Who judges the Best in Show round at Westminster?
The Best in Show judge is a highly respected, licensed all-breed AKC judge who has typically spent decades in the sport. These judges have earned elite credentials allowing them to evaluate dogs across all seven AKC groups. For the 2024 show, Rosalind Kramer held this prestigious responsibility.
Are prize earnings awarded to Westminster winners?
Unlike professional sports with massive cash purses, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show does not award substantial monetary prizes to its winners. The victor receives the iconic sterling silver bowl—traditionally crafted by Tiffany & Co.—along with immense prestige, validation for breeding programs, and lifetime glory in the canine world.
Conclusion and Next Actions
The 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show reaffirmed the enduring cultural significance of purebred dog breeding, structural preservation, and human-canine partnership. From Sage's historic Miniature Poodle victory to the breathtaking displays of athleticism and grooming across all seven groups, the event delivered an unforgettable spectacle. For those inspired by the 2024 champions, exploring local AKC all-breed conformation shows, researching specific breed parent club standards, or attending regional agility and obedience trials offers a deeper, hands-on appreciation of the dedication required to maintain these exceptional canine athletes.
