This Thanksgiving, 1,612 dogs from 175 breeds and varieties (including seven newly recognized breeds) competed for the chance to take home the Best in Show title at the 14th annual National Dog Show. But there could be only one winner: Charlie, the Skye Terrier!
Charlie, whose registered name is Ch. Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, is a 4 1/2-year-old Skye Terrier who hails from Ocala, Florida. "He is a lovely example of the breed," Best in Show Judge Elizabeth Sweigart said of Charlie in a media release. "He is in impeccable condition, hard-muscled with a beautiful coat. For his breed, he really shows personality.”
Those of you who follow the dog show circuit may recognize Charlie as the Reserve Best in Show winner at the 2015 Westminster Dog Show and the Best in Show winner at the 2014 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Overall, this accomplished Terrier has 78 Best in Show titles and 200 first-place finishes in the Terrier Group. Plus, he was the No.1 Terrier and Skye Terrier in 2014 and 2015.
With so many wins under his belt, we have a feeling that Charlie will be a prime contender at the 2016 Westminster Dog Show in February.
The Reserve Best in Show title went to Rubi, a 2-year-old French Bulldog from New York City who has won five Best in Show awards in the past.
In order to win the National Dog Show, Charlie had to beat out six other Best in Group winners, which is no easy feat. These were the other canine contenders:
If you missed NBC’s Thanksgiving broadcast of the dog show, don’t worry, NBC will air an encore presentation of the competition on Friday Nov. 27, from 8 to 10 p.m. And be sure to check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes gallery below for a chance to see what you won’t see on TV.
Here's a question: When Juno, the Bergamasco, lies on the floor, does it automatically get mopped?
Beauty takes patience! It took three hours of grooming for Bella, the Afghan Hound, to get ready for the ring.
Norwich Terriers Talli (left) and Billie posed for their favorite reward: a treat!
Zarina, a 9-month-old Lagotto Romagnolo, was imported from Italy, where she hunts for truffles.
Chet, the Havanese, is such a sweet pup! He wanted to give kisses to every spectator who walked by his bench.
Eleven-year-old Faith Rogers listened to a judge during the junior handler competition. She showed her German Shorthaired Pointer, Luna.
The junior handler competition was a family affair for the Rogers girls. Emma, Faith's twin, competed with Becky, the Great Dane.
This is the first year that the Miniature American Shepherd has been eligible to compete at the National Dog Show. Nike, here, is a 5-year-old blue merle.
Here's another breed that competed at the National Dog Show for the first time this year: the Spanish Water Dog! As expected, Rudi likes to swim, but he is also a fan of sheep and ducks, since he's a farm dog.
Aries, the Newfoundland, had an important message: Don't drink 'n' drool!
After a pronunciation lesson (it's "COY - ker - HUND - che"), this Kooikerhondje's owner explained that he was named for Ingvar the Far-Travelled, an 11th-century Viking.
They don't call them "smiling Samoyeds" for nothing! We love Wynn's grin.
Juliette, a 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, posed with her co-owner, Heidi Kennedy.
Jillian, the Greyhound, certainly lived up to her breed's nickname: "the 40-mph couch potato." Her owner and handler, Mark Siegel, said she is a total lap dog.
A Great Dane named Bernadine waited with her handler before entering the ring.
Udo, a 74-pound Borzoi, did his best impression of a lap dog as he cuddled with mom Jill Venturo. Udo's registered name is Phaedra Udo Have the Key to My Heart.
