First appeared on E! online
A new top player has been born in America.
At the 2024 National Dog Show held on November 28th, Vito the pug not only won everyone’s hearts, but also won the title of Best in Show. The 2-year-old puppy is the first of its breed to win this award.
Vito beat out about 2,000 other dogs from 205 breeds in the annual Thanksgiving Dog Contest. He was chosen as the best of his breed before being considered a top contender in the toy dog category.
From there, he joined other show group winners. They are Huston, a Clumber Spaniel, Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, Jit, an Ibizan Hound, Rupert, a Burger Picard, JJ, a Lhasa Apso, and Verde, a Welsh Terrier named Reserve. He achieved the best result, second only to Vito.
Vito’s co-owner Carolyn Koch told NBC News she was “so proud of him,” adding that pugs are “her breed.”
As for how Vito wowed the judges?
Photos The presidential dog and other pets in the White House
Best judge George Milutinovic praised it as “compact, functional, and mobile.” “This is how a pug should be”
In fact, Milutinovic described Vito as “a lot of dog in a small package.”
“I had never met him before. Wow. “That’s amazing. When I see a pug, it puts a smile on my face,” he raved.
And heading into the event hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and sponsored by Purina, Vito’s handler Michael Scott was already “optimistic” about victory.
Aside from the fact that Vito has already won 24 top titles in other competitions, Scott said the 18-pound dog has a “beautiful head and facial expression” that will impress anyone. He said he was there.
He added: “It’s a great overview.”
Vito takes over the crown from Stash, a Sealyham terrier who became the first dog of his breed to win the top prize at the National Dog Show.
As the first terrier to win the contest in eight years, Stasch bested an impressive group that included a German Shepherd, Great Dane, Dalmatian, Shih Tzu, Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Azawaku.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Every year, thousands of dogs participate in televised competitions for a chance to win “Best in Show.”
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