Rumor the German shepherd is crowd favorite at Westminster

Dogs compete in the obedience competition line up for judges during the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2016 in New York City.

Since the WKC started awarding the Best in Show prize in 1907, these dogs win the most.

Uno barked and bayed his way to best in show at Madison Square Garden in 2008. When instructed to sit and stay, he remains planted to the ground, using his brown eyes to track her as she walks around him – he cranes his neck and twists so he doesn’t lose her. But when she says go, he runs full-speed to the other end of the room. If Rumor wins in the herding group, she can then compete against other breeds from other groups for “Best in Show”.

As dozens gathered around Rumor post-win, her owner and handler Kent Boyles lauded the black-and-brown pup’s personality.

At the Westminster Kennel Club’s first-ever obedience competition Monday, dogs had to sniff out and fetch a dumbbell their handlers had touched from a pile of identical dumbbells.

What: Opening-night Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show coverage, featuring hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups.

Tuesday will include Junior Showmanship, Sporting, Working and Terrier groups before culminating in the Best in Show contest.

“My dogs would not have even made it in the ring”, spectator Todd Eubanks, who has two hound mixes at home in Redding, Connecticut, said with a chuckle as he watched.

Panda has only one best in show victory so far.

“She’s a sweet, attractive animal”, co-owner Pamela Buckles said.

Fans say the sport strengthens communication and trust between dogs and owners.

The 140th annual Westminster Dog Show continues on Tuesday.

Dogs are the best.

“I just want her to have a good experience tonight”.

“He really, really liked the environment”, she said.

“Oh, they’re all so attractive”, Scott said.

As for the models on the catwalk, would they be dressed for success with the dogs? “I don’t think that would work”.