Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show Winner 2023
PBGV “Buddy Holly” Wins Best In Show at 2023 Westminster Dog Show
Nothing was small about the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen’s Best In Show win at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan. “Buddy Holly” (CH Soletrader Buddy Holly) became the first PBGV to earn this accolade at Westminster, handled beautifully by owner Janice Hayes of Palm Springs, CA.
Buddy Holly earned his English, Irish, and Australian conformation champion titles before arriving in the U.S. to complete his American Kennel Club Champion title less than four months ago. Since then, he’s been racking up Group wins and multiple Bests In Show as the No. 1 PBGV.
The fuzzy little dog, full of character and charm, triumphed over 2,500 dogs from over 200 different breeds for the eventual win, which makes Buddy Holly 16 out of the past 17 Westminster Best In Show winners fueled by Purina Pro Plan. While many factors go into winning the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, proper nutrition is among the most important. Purina Pro Plan is the dog food of choice for all 2023 Westminster Group Winners.
Hayes has been a breeder/owner/handler of PBGVs for 20 years and has dreamed of the day the breed would win at Westminster since she was 9.
Best In Show judge Beth Sweigart of Bowmansville, Pennsylvania said after the show, “I chose this dog for my Best In Show because he exudes breed type, moves effortlessly, and is everything you want a PBGV to be.”
Buddy Holly was bred by Gavin and Sara Robertson of Wallingford, Oxfordshire, and along with Hayes, is owned by Lizzie Cadmore, Cathy Oneill, and Donna Moore. The Westminster Best In Show winner is fed Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Sharing the green carpet with Buddy Holly are these Pro Plan-fed Group Winners:
Reserve Best In Show and Toy Group Winner
The Pekingese is no stranger to Westminster’s Best In Show ring. Breeder/owner David Fitzpatrick handled “Rummie” (GCH CH Pequest Rum Dum) to Reserve Best In Show. Fitzpatrick has previously won Best In Show at Westminster in 2021 with “Wasabi” and 2012 with “Malachy.” “Rummie” is fed Purina Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula dog food.
Non-Sporting Group Winner
The No. 1 all-breed dog in the country was last year’s Westminster Reserve Best In Show French Bulldog, “Winston” (GCHP CH Fox Canyon’s I Won The War At Goldshield CGCA CGCU TKN). The greatest little showman of a dog, he had the crowd roaring with applause with handler Perry Payson of Bixby, Oklahoma on his lead. After the group win, Payson said, “I asked Winston for the extra notch tonight, and he always gives it. He loves the people, he loves to entertain, and he loves to put a smile on everyone’s face.” Winston’s success speaks for four generations of co-breeding with Sandy Fox. Sandy’s grandson, Morgan Fox, is a defensive end for the LA Chargers and co-owner of Winston, along with Alexandra Vorbeck, Alex Geremia, and Felicia Cashin. Winston is fed Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Salmon & Cod Formula dog food.
Herding Group Winner
The No. 1 Australian Shepherd in breed competition and No. 2 Herding dog with 26 Bests In Show, “Ribbon” (GCHP CH Northbay Xsell That’s A Wrap DJ) is a 3-year-old female handled by Jessica Plourde of Malta, New York. Following the win, Plourde stated, “Ribbon was very excited out there; she loves applause and is always the fun girl at the party.” Ribbon was bred by Heather Herron and Heather Sells and is owned by Bette A. Evans. Ribbon is fed Purina Pro Plan All Ages SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula dog food.
Sporting Group Winner
“Cider” (GCHB CH Winchester’s An Apple A Day JH) is a 3-year-old female English Setter handled by Adam Bernardin of Chaplin, CT. Cider follows her parents’ footsteps, with sire Colt winning Westminster Best of Breed twice and her dam winning Best of Breed and Group 3 in 2021. She is bred and owned by Adam & Katie Bernardin, Caryl Hodges, Sandra Nordstrom, Rachel Barnes, and Stuart McGraw. Cider is fed Purina Pro Plan All Ages SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Working Group Winner
“Monty” (GCH CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RN CGC TKN) is a 3-year-old Giant Schnauzer male handled by Katie Bernardin of Chaplin, CT. Bernardin competed with Monty’s sire, Ty, at Westminster in 2018, where they also won the Working Group and went on to win Reserve Best In Show. Bernardin stated, “Monty is a great-natured dog and an excellent family pet. He is my daughter’s dog and guardian.” Monty is bred and owned by Cherlann Ambrose, and co-owned with Bernardin and Sandra Nordstrom. Monty is fed Purina Pro Plan All Ages SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Terrier Group Winner
The No. 1 all-breed American Staffordshire Terrier, “Trouble” (GCHP CH Lbk’s Rebel And Proud Party Crasher), is handled by Blair Aguillard of Eunice, Louisiana. Trouble has earned 14 Bests In Show and most recently won the Amstaff Major over 200 Am Staffs. He is a 4-year-old male owned by Traci Chlan, Luisma and Lacey Benitez, Ion Ispas, and Jessica Branch, and was bred by the Benitez’s and Carly Kramer. Trouble is fed Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oat Meal Formula dog food.
Congratulations to these 2023 Westminster Pro Plan-fed show dogs!