The 2021 National Dog Show presented by Purina made history in its 20th year, which seems quite appropriate.
As always, the NBC Thanksgiving Day classic was hosted by American Kennel Club judge and dog expert David Frei and actor John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Family Feud), with backstage access from sportscaster Mary Carillo.
It took place on at the Greater Philadelphia Event Center on Saturday, November 20, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
This was the debut for the Biewer Terrier (pronounced Beaver Terrier), a member of the Toy Group, and 1,520 dogs were entered from around 180 breeds and varieties. Detailed statistics provided by The Canine Chronicle magazine.
Who won Best in Show at the 2021 National Dog Show?
While the 2021 National Dog Show winners will be revealed soon, be sure to brush up on how dog shows work and what the pros wish the average viewer knew..
Herding Group
The Herding Group was judged by Laurie King Telfair, and the group victory blue ribbon went to a Pyranean Shepherd called Sasha (registered name GCHG CH RPK3 La Brise Chanson D’Amour FDC CGC ATT), who comes from Binghamton, New York.
The second-place red ribbon went to a Smooth Collie, the third-place white to the Pumi, and the fourth-place yellow went to the German Shepherd. There were 203 dogs entered here.
Hound Group
Last year’s Best in Show champ, 4-year-old Claire the Scottish Deerhound from Flint Hill, Virginia (officially GCHS Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser), again repeated as champion in the Hound Group. All four placements went to sighthounds, which is interesting. Claire beat out 188 other dogs in her group, which was judged by Carol Reisman.
Claire’s grandmother Hickory was Best in Show at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and her mother Chelsea was Reserve Best in Show at the 2015 National Dog Show.
Also placing here were a Greyhound, an Azawakh and a Whippet, in that order.
Non-Sporting Group
The Non-Sporting Group was captured by Winter the Bulldog (officially GCHS Irresistibull Winter is Coming of Danditops) from Santa Ana, California, who bested 190 dogs in his group. George Milutinovich was the judge.
Also placing here were a Miniature Poodle, a Keeshond, and a Standard Poodle, in that order.
Sporting Group
The Sporting Group was judged by Linda Hurlebaus, who awarded the blue ribbon to a German Shorthaired Pointer from Los Angeles, California, named Jade (registered as GCH Clarity Reach the Sky VJK Myst), who triumphed out of 390 dogs.
A Weimaraner took the red ribbon, a Golden Retriever the white and an English Springer Spaniel the yellow.
Terrier Group
222 terriers were entered in the 2021 National Dog Show, which was judged by Patricia Anne Keenan, but the best of them all was MM the Lakeland Terrier, known officially as GCH Hi-Kel Terrydale Nanhall Mizzconceived, who hails from Mebane, North Carolina.
A Border Terrier took the red ribbon, a Scottish Terrier earned the white and a Skye Terrier got the yellow.
Toy Group
The Toy Group was claimed by Chester the Affenpinscher from Houston, Texas (registered as GCHB Tamarin Tattoo). Chester is owned by Mattress Mack, and was this group winner last year as well. Eugene Blake judged the 154 dogs in this class.
A Havanese, a Miniature Pinscher and a Japanese Chin rounded out the placements.
Working Group
241 Working Group dogs were entered, with Peter Gaela officiating. The group win went to a 7 year old Kuvasz called Mo’ne (GCHB Ederras Glacier the Power of MoNo), the pride of Lebanon, Ohio.
Also placing were a Doberman Pinscher, a Samoyed and an Alaskan Malamute.
Best in Show
Chester, Claire, Jade, MM, Mo’ne, Sasha and Winter all then went on to compete for Best in Show, which was judged by Jeff Pepper.
The title of Reserve Best in Show (runner-up) went to Sasha, while Claire made National Dog Show history by becoming the first repeat winner in event history.
“She is beautifully balanced and fits the requirement of the Scottish Deerhound, breed standard in terms of both type and construction” Pepper said. “The handler moved her at exactly the right speed, exhibiting excellent athleticism.”
Congratulations to Claire, and all the other dogs who took part or watched at home.