Temecula Dog Wins ‘Best in Show’ at 2016 Westminster Dog Show

CJ, the German shorthaired pointer, won the competition and becomes the third dog of the breed to win the prize.

And never say never, notes dog handler Bill McFadden, who showed a Kerry blue terrier named Mick to the breed’s first and so far only win at Westminster in 2003.

Earlier in the day, handler Valerie Nunes Atkinson explained what made CJ so special.

Lucy, a 4-year-old borzoi, traveled from her home in Chiba, Japan, to make the cut in the hound group.

Kent Boyles, the handler of the favored German shepherd Rumor who competed in 176 shows in 2015, said this was Rumor’s last show.

“It’s very frustrating, because they’re worthy of it. There’s lovely dogs”, longtime golden retriever breeder Michael Pickard said with a sigh.

Besides Charlie, CJ also topped a German shepherd, bulldog, shih tzu and Samoyed to win the prized silver bowl.

“He loves it here”, she said. The event features any breed of dog one can dream of petting, with brightly decorated booths dedicated to explaining in detail each breed’s history and characteristics, and what potential owners need to know.

“Vegas odds were not with us”, Nunes-Atkinson said.

The best of the hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups were selected on Monday and the top sporting, working and terrier will be selected on Tuesday, before the best in show is decided. It was CJ’s 18th Best in Show award overall.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press Owner Valerie Nunes-Atkinson said CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, was a unique dog from birth.

His handler Andrew Green also comes from impressive lineage: His father, Peter Green, who was mentioned in Sports Illustrated, won Best in Show at Westminster with a Sealyham terrier in 1977.

The show draws thousands of people each year – both dog show regulars and the everyday dog lover hoping to see a variety of breeds from around the world.

“He oozed that pointer style”, Richard Meen, the judge with the unenviable task of crowning a king of kings at Westminster, told USA Today.