The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship sponsored by Royal Canin, formerly the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Unlike most other countries' kennels clubs, the AKC is not part of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.
Fox Terriers are two different breeds of the terrier dog type: the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier. Both of these breeds originated in the 19th century from a handful of dogs who are descended from earlier varieties of British terriers, and are related to other modern white terrier breeds. In addition, a number of breeds have diverged from these two main types of fox terrier and have been recognised separately, including the Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature Fox Terrier and Rat Terrier. The Wire and Smooth Fox Terriers share similar characteristics, the main differences being in the coat and markings. They have been successful in conformation shows, more prominently in America than their homeland.
The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of small dog named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England. Originally bred to hunt vermin the Bedlington Terrier has since been used in dog racing, numerous dog sports, as well as in conformation shows and as a companion dog. It is closely related to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Whippet and Otterhound.
The Lakeland Terrier is a dog breed, which takes its name from its place of origin, the Lake District in England. The dog is a small to mid-size member of the Terrier family. While independent in personality, it interacts well with owners and all family members, and is mostly hypo-allergenic. The breed is not widely owned in the United States.
Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, CD, RE, commonly known as James, was an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog. He was handled exclusively by the same handler who took Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless to a best-in-show at Westminster in 2000. In retirement he was recognised in 2008 by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association for his work as a sire and has produced many champion offspring, including Ch. Cerise Jesse James.
The National Dog Show is a conformation show sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.
Ch. Matford Vic (1912–??), a Wire Fox Terrier, best known for being one of only five dogs to have won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on more than one occasion. She was originally purchased for the sum of £2 before changing hands twice prior to winning Best in Show at Westminster for the first time in 1915.
Ch. Tickle Em Jock (1908–??), a Scottish Terrier, was the first of his breed to win best-in-show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1911, the fifth occasion it was awarded. He was originally sold for a sum of only £2 to Andrew Albright, Jr. Mr Albright would go on to later say he wouldn't sell the dog for $5,000. Jock was also noted in the media of the time for biting a judge's wrist just after winning best of breed at a dog show.
Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid was a Bull Terrier who is best known for being the 2006 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Dog Showhandled by Kathy Kirk PHA. He is the first Colored Bull Terrier to win Best in Show at Westminster, with the only other victory for his breed going to a White Bull Terrier in 1918. He also won Best In Show at the National Dog show, and on retirement trained as a therapy dog. He is the most successful Colored Bull Terrier Show Dog of all time.
GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, also known as Hickory, is a female Scottish Deerhound who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2011. She is the first of her breed to have won the title.
Ch. Strathtay Prince Albert, a Bulldog, was the winner of the title of Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1913. He placed third at the show in 1914 and continued to appear at the competition for several years afterwards, winning Best of Breed on several more occasions.
Ch. Boxwood Barkentine, an Airedale Terrier, was the Best in Show at the 1922 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the third occasion it was awarded to a member of that breed. It was the first show that Barkentine had been entered into as an adult.
Ch. Midkiff Seductive, a Cocker Spaniel, was the Best in Show at the 1921 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the first occasion it was awarded to a member of that breed. The judging in the Best in Show round had a split decision by the two judges, and required the referee to make a deciding vote.
Ch. Warren Remedy, (1905-1912), was a Best in Show winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1907, 1908, and 1909. She was a Smooth-coated fox terrier owned by Winthrop Rutherfurd, and is the only dog to have won Westminster three years in a row.
Ch. Sabine Rarebit was a best in show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1910. He was a Smooth-coated fox terrier considered to be "not only the best fox terrier out, but, in the opinion of many judges, the best ever bred."
GCH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, also known as Joe, is a 11 year old toy Affenpinscher that won Best In Show at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013. Banana Joe was the first of his breed to win Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. This was his last show, and following it Joe went home to the Netherlands to be with his owner Mieke Cooijmans.
Gabriel Rangel is a professional dog handler. He has shown three dogs awarded Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: King, a Wire Fox Terrier, in 2019; Sky, also a Wire Fox Terrier, in 2014; and Sadie, a Scottish Terrier, in 2010. Rangel is now one win behind Peter Green, who won Best in Show as a handler four times.
