The National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day is one of our favorite parts of the holiday weekend. If you’re planning on watching it, too, you’ll definitely want to get your guesses in before they announce the winner. Will the speedy herding dog take home the top spot, or will a non-sporting cutie be dubbed as Best in Show? Your guess is as good as ours! Check out the past winners of the National Dog Show to help you make a calculated prediction.
2022: Winston the French Bulldog
The French bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the country, so it’s about time one won the National Dog Show! A 3-year-old Frenchie named Winston took home the Best in Show title in 2022 after charming the audience and judges. But he’s no stranger to winning, considering the National Dog Show was his 78th win. Bravo, Winston!
This breed is part of the Non-Sporting Group. The perfect French bulldog should have a muscular build, bat-like ears, and that characteristic wrinkled muzzle, among other criteria. Clearly, Winston has all that and more. But what made Winston extra special? The best in show judge mentioned that he had a particular “razzle dazzle” that set him apart from the rest of the dogs.
If you're thinking about adding a French bulldog to your home, look into Frenchie rescues that focus on finding homes for these sweeties.
2021 & 2020: Claire the Scottish Deerhound
The Best in Show champion in 2021 was a stunning Scottish deerhound named Claire. But this wasn’t her first win. Claire took home the same title in 2020! This accomplishment made her the first consecutive repeat winner in the show’s history.
It’s no surprise this cutie keeps coming out on top, though, because she was born into a long line of show dogs. Her grandma took home Best in Show in 2011 at the Westminster Dog Show. Cool, right?
Scottish deerhounds were originally bred to hunt deer, so their body structure reflects that purpose. They should have a deep chest, long neck, well-developed legs, high ears, and more.
Claire’s full registered name is GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser. Try saying that three times fast!
2019: Thor the Bulldog
A name like Thor just screams cool, and you’ll be pleased to know Thor, the winner of the 2019 National Dog Show, is just as cool as his namesake. The handsome bulldog beat out thousands of other dogs to take home the top prize.
Along with having the desired breed characteristics of power and a balanced and compact body, Thor is a smart cookie. He understands three human languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Very impressive!
Does Thor have a long show name, too? You bet. It’s GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls.
2018: Whiskey the Whippet
GCHP Pinnacle Tennessee Whiskey, better known as just Whiskey, took home the Best in Show title in 2018. The talented whippet is part of the Hound Group and was only participating in dog shows for about a year before taking home this big win. When Whiskey isn’t busy winning shows, he loves cuddling up with his people and just being a companion dog. We’d say that’s some well-deserved relaxation.
Predicting National Dog Show Winners
With so many factors at play, it’s impossible to predict who will win the National Dog Show. Even so, it’s fun to guess who you think will win. Channel your inner Best in Show to make your best guess, then see which stunning dog brings home the title.
