We have a champion! NBC aired the 22nd National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day (after the Parade). This year the short-in-stature but mighty-in-spirit Sealyham terrier won Best in Show, thanks to an outstanding performance by three-year-old Stache. I had never heard of the Sealyham breed of terrier, but the American Kennel Club tells me they were bred by a Welsh landowner in the 1800s who wanted the perfect terrier to drive off otters from the waters of his estate, named Sealy Ham. What a quintessentially British story. Anyway, Stache likely took this victory in stride, as it marks his 49th Best in Show win across many competitions. Damn, Stache is one helluva catch.
Stache, a Sealyham terrier, has won Best in Show at this year’s National Dog Show.
The cream colored male, with long hair sweeping down from his broad forehead, beat out six other finalists at the annual canine competition, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and broadcast by NBC on Thanksgiving Day.
Stache, who is barely as tall as the judge’s knees, had to crane his neck to look at the silver platter he had just won. His handler, Margery Good, smiled broadly when accepting the award.
“He just gave a wonderful performance,” she said. “He stretched his little short legs and hands and flew around this ring.”
Stache defeated a group that included a German shepherd, a Great Dane, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Shih Tzu and an Azawakh, a hound originating from West Africa. A Dalmatian named Pumpkin won second place, known as Reserve Best in Show. Up to 2,000 dogs from across more than 200 breeds and varieties competed in this year’s event. There were only 165 breeds shown at the first National Dog Show in 2001.
Stache’s registered name is GCHP Goodspice Efbe Money Stache. He lives in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, not far from where he picked up today’s prestigious award. Ahead of this win, Stache was the No. 2-ranked Terrier and No. 12-ranked All-Breed show dog in America. He has won 49 Best in Show prizes.
The American Kennel Club describes the Sealyham terrier as “brave and spirited, but not as spiky as small terriers.” It says they are sturdy and outgoing companions with a sly sense of humor.
It’s estimated that over 20 million animal lovers watched this year’s National Dog Show, according to Purina, which presented the show.
I need more information on how this “sly sense of humor” manifests in Sealyham terriers. What, do they tie your shoelaces together under the table, throw a wink to the fourth wall and walk away? You can’t just drop in a descriptor like that and not give me examples! And for those who are wondering (like I did): no, Stache isn’t suffering from bangs trauma, the hair is supposed to be brushed down the forehead for competing Sealyham terriers. Congratulations to Stache and all the other finalists. Reserve Best in Show winner Pumpkin the Dalmatian really is a stunner with those rich spots and soulful face. Yaro the Azawakh is giving me real supermodel vibes, and seemed to trot along with an attitude of “I will SLAY next year.” And Comet the Shih Tzu, well, she just looks like a f—ing diva. And I mean that as a compliment.
“God loves a terrier.”
😃 Thank you for reminding me of one of my FAVES “Best In Show”❤️❤️❤️ and after living with my sister for 8 months who has a Terrier Baby ❤️ I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with this sentiment ❤️
Yes he does! (I was singing this to my terrier cross while we watched the judging). I squeed when his little legs splayed out while he was being lifted to the judging stand.
The dogs are too cute! I have never heard of that breed of terrier! I guess everyday is a school day after all! 🤗
They lost me at drive off otters.
Agreed. Wish the pup would’ve driven off old sealyham and his delusions of estate grandeur instead and let the otters be –
Then it would be called the Otter Terrier! [and probably have less stupid bangs]
I love every dog!!!!!! <3
but it enrages me when ppl mutilate them for "aesthetic" reasons, e.g. I quit watching when I saw they cropped the Great Dane's ears. It's stupid and cruel. I wish these shows would automatically disqualify for surgical mutilations; it would be a start
1000% agreed. Cut the ears, then sew stiff cardboard pieces to inside of ear, so what’s left heals standing up. Causes lifelong health problems. Just so they look frightening.
The Great Dane Carson was robbed! I might be tiny bit biased as I grew up with Danes. People complain about the crop, but the real crime with Danes is the lack of genetic testing for cancers. We lost both of our Danes to bone cancer, living up to its nickname the heartbreak breed.
There was a great article about shrinking lifespan of some breeds because a breeder along the way used a dog with a genetic predisposition to cancer and if that dog was a popular sire it might flood the breeding stock until more purebred dogs have the gene than don’t. For the study they were tracing Bernese Mountain Dogs where that exact scenario happened.
I wish the AKC would push for genetic testing and reward breeders for seeking healthy puppies over extreme visuals.
I’m from Texas and fully expected Carson to take it! He really had that “it” factor and I was shocked that the Sealyham (which I barely even remember mostly from the bangs trauma) was named.
Pumpkin (the dalmatian) was my second choice.
But man, Carson was robbed.
(to be clear, I think Stache the Sealyham is adorable and precious. I was just surprised he won but good for him and his weird hairdo!)
That’s really sad, @Gwendolyn.
As humans we need to do a much better job of caring for animals by doing what’s best for their health and happiness instead of letting $$$greed rule 😥
Absolutely true story. My friend’s sister had the #1/2 Bernese Mountain Dog for 3 years, even won best in his group and contended for BIS at Westminster. Died of cancer at 5. All of this woman’s dogs started getting cancer, some as young as 2. She had to scrap her whole breeding program. Started over but isn’t showing her dogs any more. The community is working to eradicate that cancer gene from the breed, but it’s expensive and difficult and will take several generations. Definitely a case where the quest to achieve the breed standard went completely haywire, much like with the German Shepherd.
I’m from a show dog family…some breeders are committed to breed preservation and sticklers about animal health. They tend not to produce many litters and health test them religiously. The problem is the standards set by the AKC. It’s why I have Jack Russells, who aren’t even recognized by the AKC, and we (the JRT community) prefer it that way.
My favorite competitions are the agility and other skill work. I can’t remember that name of the one where the dogs are dancing with the handler. And there is one called ‘obedience’ I think. Such an old fashioned name. You can see the partnership between dog and human. How much fun they are having, the hard work, the skill. They also have junior groups (kids) and rescues. Lots of these are on YT. And of course the bloopers. So much doggy fun.
I love the National Dog Show and it is the highlight of my Thanksgiving every year. Great food and good doggos….what a wonderful combination.
As the adoptive parent of an Airedale (my oldest child), I can confirm that terriers are such unique, hilarious, loveable personalities. Honestly they might as well be toddlers in furry pajamas. And they DO have a sense of humor: when they steal your shoes it’s not to chew on them– they literally will wait to merrily prance around with your shoes until you chase them. Such joyful souls.
We all cheered at our house when he won! We have schnauzers and just absolutely love terriers. They are so cheeky and loving.
As he was running around the ring, every step he made I was thinking, “Sassy, sassy, sassy.”
He certainly is a cutie. Always wondered why so few female dogs win Best in Show.