Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, made history by winning Best in Show at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday. This victory marked the first time a Giant Schnauzer has claimed this prestigious title. Monty, who has won the Working Group at Westminster for the past three years, ended a long dry spell for the group, which had not seen a Best in Show winner since 2004.
The five-year-old Giant Schnauzer had previously earned the Best in Show title at the AKC National Championship in December. Monty’s owner and handler, Katie Bernardin, expressed her immense pride, fighting back tears during an interview after the win. “He always tries so hard, and I’m so proud of him,” she said. “Puppy did the damn thing!”
The Westminster Dog Show, now in its 149th year, holds the title of the second-oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Each year, around 3,000 dogs from across the globe gather in New York City to compete in this prestigious competition.
The most sought-after award is the Best in Show, which is determined by a single judge. This year, Paula Nykiel had the difficult task of selecting the winner from the seven group champions: Herding, Hound, Non-Sporting, Sporting, Terrier, Toy, and Working, each consisting of various dog breeds.
The Reserve Best in Show, awarded to the first runner-up, went to Bourbon, a nine-year-old Whippet who came out of retirement to compete this year. This marked Bourbon’s third time earning the Reserve Best in Show title at Westminster.
This year, the Westminster Dog Show returned to its traditional February schedule and was held at its original 1877 venue, Madison Square Garden in New York, which was then called Gilmore’s Garden. The competition had moved to a different location in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but made its comeback to MSG this year, ahead of next year’s 150th anniversary celebration.
Before announcing the Best in Show winner, judge Paula Nykiel addressed the packed audience, expressing her appreciation for the history and tradition of Westminster. “I’m sure everyone here tonight is as happy as I am for Westminster to be back in Manhattan, and here at the iconic Madison Square Garden,” she said.
The dates for the 150th anniversary event in 2026 have not yet been announced.