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PHOTOS: Canines shine at 147th annual Westminster dog show

WTOP Staff

May 10, 2023, 10:40 AM

This week, 2,500 dogs from 210 different breeds and varieties are vying for the best in show trophy at the 147 annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Hailing from 49 states and 13 countries, contestants range from tiny Chihuahuas to giant Great Danes. They include familiar breeds like Labrador retrievers, rarities such as the Sloughi, and a newcomer, the Bracco Italiano.

In the end, a petit basset griffon Vendéen named Buddy Holly — for the late rock ‘n’ roll legend — won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night, a first for the rabbit-hunting breed. Buddy Holly bested six other finalists to garner the most prestigious dog show award in the United States.

See photos from the show below.

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Handler Janice Hays poses for photos with Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, after he won best in show during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, competes in the hound group during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Buddy Holly won best in hound group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Addie, a Komondor, competes in the working group during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Louis, a Samoyed, competes in the working group during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Wicked, a doberman pinscher, competes in the working group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Atlas, a Spinone Italiano, competes in the sporting group during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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A judge examines dogs competing in the bracco Italiano breed during the breed’s debut at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in New York. A dog named Lepshi, third from left, co-owned by country music star Tim McGraw, won best in breed. (AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz)
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Bandit, a keeshond, competes in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Monty, a giant schnauzer, competes for best in show during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Monty won the working group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Monty, a giant schnauzer, competes for best in show during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Monty won the working group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Entrants compete in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed judging in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Buddy, a grand basset griffon vendéen, competes in the hound group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Buddy won best in hound group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Watson, a Pomeranian, competes in the toy group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Audra Maes, 10, of Denver, Colo. shows Leo, a shiba inu, during competition in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Annabelle, a papillon, competes in the toy group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Winston, a French bulldog, jumps inside the non-sporting group box while competing in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Winston won best in non-sporting group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Bradie, a corgi, competes in the dock dive competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Breeder-owner-handler Alexandria Mitchell with Hugo, an Ibizan hound, competes in the hound group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Ribbon, an Australian shepherd, competes in the herding group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Ribbon won best in herding group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Buddy, a grand basset griffon vendéen, competes in the hound group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Buddy won best in hound group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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A Havanese is groomed at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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A Scottish Terrier is bathed during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Calaco, a xoloitzcuintli, competes in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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An Italian Greyhound is groomed during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Ru, a Standard Poodle, walks through the kenneling area during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Ray Ray, a Shar Pei, is quickly groomed in the breed judging show ring during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Winston, a French Bulldog, is carried by his handler and co-owner Perry Payson after winning the Best in Breed title during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Jose, a puli, competes in the herding group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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Jai Jai, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, wears a fancy jacket while being groomed during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Trumpet, a Bloodhound, socializing in the kenneling area during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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A Lhasa Apso is groomed at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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A handler wears a dog-themed tie during breed judging during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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A miniature poodle is groomed before competing in breed judging during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Entrants compete in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed judging in Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Handlers tend to their French Bulldogs as breed judging is held in a tent on the outer tennis courts during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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French Bulldog entrants wait in the judging circle before a winner for Best in Breed is declared during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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Winston, a French Bulldog, led by his handler and co-owner Perry Payson, perform with other entrants before winning the Best in Breed title during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Monday, May 8, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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