King unseats 2018's Westminster winner, Flynn the Bichon Frise.
King is the talk of dog parks around the world today. The Wire Fox Terrier won Best in Show at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday night.
King — show name GCHB CH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home — beat out thousands of other canines from over 200 breeds to win the coveted purple ribbon and title of top dog with help from his handler Gabriel Rangel.
After winning the Terrier Group earlier in the show, King pawed onto the famous green ring at New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the Best in Show round along with six other furry, fabulous group winners. Filling out the final round, judged by Peter J. Green, was Baby Lars the Bouvier des Flandres, Colton the Schipperke, Bono the Havanese, Burns the Longhaired Dachshund, Bean the Sussex Spaniel, and Wilma the Boxer.
Close behind King was Bono the Havanese, who won second place — also known as Reserve Best in Show — at Westminster this year. Colton the Schipperke was ruled ineligible for Best in Show ahead of the final round. According to the Washington Post, Colton was ruled ineligible for Best in Show because of a “conflict of interest between the dog’s owners and the family of the best in show judge.”
The Schipperke was allowed to walk out with the other six group winners for the final round but was then excused from the ring before judging.
King unseats the 2018 Best in Show winner, Flynn the Bichon Frise. The Wire Fox Terrier has more Westminster wins than any other dog breed. King’s win makes it 15 Best in Show titles for the breed.
Rangel has handled two other Westminster Best in Show winners including 2014’s champion: Sky the Wire Fox Terrier.
After two days of strutting his stuff, King will enjoy the traditional Westminster Dog Show victory lap. This Wednesday celebration includes a visit to the top of the Empire State Building, lunch at beloved N.Y.C. restaurant Sardi’s and several press appearances.