The Top 2 Best In Show Dog Breeds That Shocked The World In 2025

Jan 10, 2026 • minute read

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The world of competitive dog showing has witnessed a seismic shift in 2025, moving away from the historically dominant breeds and crowning two truly exceptional champions from the Working and Hound groups. As of this current date in December 2025, the conversation is no longer about the usual suspects like the Wire Fox Terrier or the Poodle, but about a powerful, bold Giant Schnauzer and an elegant, gentle Whippet who redefined "Best in Show" excellence on the global stage. This article dives deep into the two sensational breeds that captured the highest honors at the world’s most prestigious competitions—the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Crufts—analyzing their unique qualities, breed standards, and what their victories mean for the future of conformation shows. These wins are a testament to perfect conditioning, impeccable handling, and the sheer charisma required to beat thousands of competitors.

The Reigning Champions: 2025 Best in Show Winners

The 2025 show season will be remembered for the historic victories of two dogs who brought their respective breeds into the global spotlight. Their wins were not just triumphs for their owners and handlers, but major milestones for the Giant Schnauzer and the Whippet breeds.

1. The Giant Schnauzer: 'Monty' (Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show)

The biggest story of the year came from the United States, where the Giant Schnauzer known as GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, or simply 'Monty', finally clinched the coveted Best in Show title at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. This victory was monumental because Monty is the first Giant Schnauzer to ever win Best in Show at Westminster. His win was the culmination of years of consistent performance, having won the Working Group for the past three years running.

Giant Schnauzer Breed Profile:

Group: Working Group
Temperament: Bold, valiant, intelligent, and deeply loyal to family. They combine spirit and alertness with reliability.
Key to Win: Monty’s success is attributed to his powerful, robust, and nearly square build, which perfectly adheres to the breed standard. His commanding presence and magnificent, well-groomed harsh coat and distinctive beard set him apart in the ring. He also had a major win at the 2024 AKC National Championship.

2. The Whippet: 'Miuccia' (Crufts)

Across the pond, the UK’s prestigious Crufts dog show crowned its own champion: a beautiful Whippet named 'Miuccia' from Venice, Italy. Miuccia beat out over 18,000 dogs to take home the Best in Show award at Crufts 2025. Miuccia’s win was also historic, as she is the fourth Whippet to ever win the top prize at Crufts, but the first dog from Italy to achieve the highest honor in the show's history. Her elegance and movement were cited as flawless by the judges.

Whippet Breed Profile:

Group: Hound Group
Temperament: Amiable, gentle, quiet, and friendly. They are adaptable and affectionate, making them wonderful pets as well as show dogs.
Key to Win: The Whippet breed standard emphasizes a perfect blend of power and elegance. Miuccia’s victory highlighted the breed’s characteristic "snap" movement—a smooth, low gait that demonstrates incredible speed potential—and her beautiful, clean lines and condition.

Beyond the Terrier: The New Era of Show Ring Excellence

For decades, the show ring was heavily dominated by the Terrier Group, particularly the Wire Fox Terrier, which holds the record for the most Westminster Best in Show wins with 15 victories. Breeds like the Scottish Terrier, Pekingese, and various Poodles also have a long history of success. The 2025 results, however, signal a clear trend toward recognizing excellence across *all* groups. The success of the Giant Schnauzer from the Working Group and the Whippet from the Hound Group demonstrates that judges are adhering strictly to the specific breed standard for each dog, rather than favoring the traditional "showman" breeds.

The Importance of Breed Standard and Conformation

A "Best in Show" dog is not simply the most popular or the cutest; it is the dog that most closely embodies the perfect physical and mental characteristics defined in its official breed standard. * Giant Schnauzer: Must be robust, strongly built, and "a bold and valiant figure." Monty's win confirms the judges rewarded a dog with the powerful, protective demeanor and superior physical structure required of a Working dog. * Whippet: Must exhibit a perfect blend of muscular power and graceful elegance, capable of great speed. Miuccia's performance in movement, showcasing the breed’s natural athletic ability, was paramount to her victory. This shift suggests a greater appreciation for the diversity of the canine world, where a powerful protection dog (Giant Schnauzer) and a sleek, gentle sighthound (Whippet) can stand equally as champions. The focus is on the dog’s conformation—its structure and movement—and its temperament, which must be reliable and composed under the intense pressure of the final ring.

What Makes a "Best in Show" Dog Breed? The Judging Criteria

The path to Best in Show is grueling, requiring a dog to first win its breed, then its group (Working, Hound, Terrier, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Toy, Herding, or Miscellaneous), and finally, the ultimate title. The judging process is rigorous and focuses on four main criteria:

1. Conformation (Structure)

The dog’s physical structure must align perfectly with the breed standard. This includes the size, head shape, ear set, tail carriage, and overall body proportions. For example, a Giant Schnauzer must be nearly square, while a Whippet must have a long, lean head and a well-arched loin. Any deviation can be a fault.

2. Movement (Gait)

This is arguably the most critical component. The dog must move with the gait characteristic of its breed. The movement should be effortless, balanced, and efficient. Monty the Giant Schnauzer was praised for his powerful, ground-covering stride, while Miuccia the Whippet was lauded for her smooth, low-to-the-ground, yet energetic, trot.

3. Condition and Presentation

This covers the dog's overall health, muscle tone, and coat. A champion must be in peak physical condition. The handling and grooming are essential here: the Giant Schnauzer requires expert trimming and scissoring to achieve the signature harsh coat texture, while the Whippet’s short coat must be impeccably clean to show off its muscle definition.

4. Temperament and Ring Presence

The dog must be alert, confident, and willing to work with its handler. A dog that is nervous, aggressive, or overly distracted will not win. Monty and Miuccia both displayed the hallmark confidence and composure necessary to hold the attention of the judge and the massive audience. The 2025 Best in Show champions, the Giant Schnauzer and the Whippet, serve as a powerful reminder that while some breeds have dominated the history books, the ultimate prize is reserved for the dog who, on that single night, best represents the ideal of its breed. They have set a new, incredibly high bar for canine excellence and topical authority in the show world, proving that a champion can emerge from any group, provided its quality is undeniable.

The Top 2 Best in Show Dog Breeds That Shocked the World in 2025

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