2021 AKC National Championship results; Who won this year?

Which dogs triumphed at the 2021 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin?

The 21st edition of the event was held December 18-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with more than 5,000 dogs entered from every breed and variety that the American Kennel Club recognizes.

Major event sponsors included AT&T, AKC Pet Insurance, Apoquel anti-itch medicine, Calmer Canines, Lowe’s, Retrievist, Swiffer, and Tractor Supply Company.

Carolyn Manno, Gina DiNardo and Bill Ellis were the announcers for the event, with Kevin Skinner as the public address announcer.

if you aren’t sure how dog shows work, then see our guide to the basics, and also be sure to check out what the professionals wish the average viewer knew.

Which dogs triumphed at the 2021 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin?

Detailed facts come from the Canine Chronicle magazine.

Herding Group

Charles Olvis was the judge of the Herding Group., and he awarded the group win blue ribbon to JJ the Australian Shepherd (officially known as GCHP CH Lk Michigan I’m Yours), who beat out 748 other dogs in his group.

Also placing with the second-place red ribbon was River the German Shepherd, the third-place white ribbon went to Conrad the Shetland Sheepdog, and the fourth-place yellow ribbon went to Tasia the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. 12 dogs made the shortlist in this group.

Hound Group

The Hound Group was judged by Pamela Bruce, and she gave the group victory to Clancy the Grand Basset Griffon Verdeen (registered name GCHB Sidekicks Life is a Highway), who was the best of 571 hounds.

Also placing were a female Harrier in second, the Borzoi in third and the Basset Hound in fourth. 11 dogs made the shortlist in this group.

Non-Sporting Group

Susan St John Brown was the judge of the Non-Sporting Group, which contained 529 entries. She deemed Thor the Bulldog (registered as GCHP Diamond Majesu Pisko Bulls) to be the best of teh bunch.

Only eight dogs made the shortlist here, and also earning ribbons were Winston the French Bulldog, Dream the Xolo and Teka the Dalmatian, in that order.

Sporting Group

The Sporting Group was judged by Beth Sweigart, and she gave the group win to Beacon the German Wirehaired Pointer, who is officially known as GCHS CH Heywire N Deep Harbor Love That Dirty Water.

Orca the Lagatto Romagnolo, the Brittany and the Labrador Retriever also placed, with a dozen dogs on the shortlist here.

Terrier Group

581 terriers were entered in the Terrier Group, which had Edd Embry Bivins as its judge, and Boom the Smooth Fox Terrier (officially known as GCHS CH Hampton Ct Broxden Dropthe Mic) as its victor.

Vinnie the Wire Fox Terrier was second, Ty the Welsh Terrier was third and Higgins the Dandie Dinmont Terrier was fourth, and 13 dogs made the shortlist here.

Toy Group

The Toy Group was judged by Johnny Shoemaker, with Fortune Cookie the Pekingese (registered as CH Pequest Fortune Cookie) taking the group victory out of 771 entries. Fortune Cookie is the nephew of 2019 national champion Wasabi.

Chester the Affenpinscher was second, followed by the Havanese and Peace the Pomeranian.

Working Group

The Working Group judge was Norman Kenney, with Bayou the Giant Schnauzer (registered name GCHG CH Laginappe’s From the Mountains to the Bayou) taking the group win out of 676 dogs.

11 dogs made the shortlist, with Striker the Samoyed earning second, Selma the Cane Corso third and the Kuvasz fourth.

Best in Show

So that meant that Bayou, Beacon, Boom, Clancy, Fortune Cookie, JJ and Thor all advanced to the Best in Show round of the 2021 AKC National Championship, which was judged by Dana Cline.

He awarded Reserve Best in Show, the overall runner-up, to Beacon the German Wirehaired Pointer, while 2021 AKC National Championship Best in Show was given to Bayou the Giant Schnauzer.

Congratulations to all the dogs and humans entered this year, and may you have the best of luck in the 2022 season.