Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is the Best in Show winner at the AKC 147^th Westminster Dog Show that took place in the NYC borough of Queens on May 9, 2023. He takes the crown from the now show-ring retired Trumpet, the Blood Hound, who won in 2022. Reserve champion (second place) was Rummie the Pekingese.

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Admittedly, I was not familiar with this dog breed until I watched the breed judging events during Monday and Tuesday afternoons during the 2023 Westminster Dog Show recently. The American Kennel Club recognizes two breeds of Basset Griffon Vendeen – the Grand and the Petit (Big and small). Also, despite all the photos I took during my two days of dogs, dogs, dogs, I failed to get a photo of a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Sigh.

Which dog won the Westminster Dog Show 2023?

Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, earned a series of titles: Best of Breed winner, Best in Hound Group, and finally  Best in Show. And he’s cute as a button. This breed is also known as the PBGV, which is really fun to say out loud, and how it was announced at the show – followed by a thunderous applause because this is the big finish of an extravagant event – and during National Pet Month too! (affiliate link)

Buddy Holly is a six-year old male PBGV who spends his days in Palm Springs, California with handler Janice Hayes, who co-owns this valuable pup with three other people.

What is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a cute small wiry-coated dog with a big name, often abbreviated to PBGV for obvious reasons. According to the AKC, this breed is generally very good with young children, other dogs, and affectionate with all family members.

A Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a low-to-the-ground shaggy dog and was originally bred to work in a pack hunting rabbits. So they usually thrive in family situations or multi-dog homes. Named after a region in France, this long-named little follow is the smaller version of the bigger Grand version and stand no more than 38 cm (15 inches) at the shoulder. They are known to be outgoing and confident.

Who won the Sporting Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show?

The winner of the Sporting Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show is the English Setter named Winchester’s An Apple a Day.

• Second Place: The Irish Water Spaniel named Poole’s Ide Sargeant Sloane.
• Third Place: The Pointer named Aspyre Cat Got Ur Tongue
• Fourth Place: The Brittany named Brigadier Shamrock All Silver Stars

Who won the Working Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show?

The winner of the Working Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show is the Giant Schnauzer named Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain.

• Second Place: The Great Pyrenees named Rivergroves Wonder Dog at Pyrcreek.
• Third Place: The Rottweiler named Cammcastle’s Back to the Future.
• Fourth Place: The Doberman Pincher named Alcher Tmac Witchcraft V Gentry.

Who won the Terrier Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show?

The winner of the Terrier Group at the 147^th Westminster Dog Show is the American Staffordshire Terrier named Rebel and Proud Party Crasher.

• Second Place: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier named King’s Mountain Mortimer Mouse.
• Third Place: Kerry Blue Terrier named Kilgawny Take My Man.
• Fourth Place: The  Sealyham Terrier named Goodspice Efbe Money Stache

What happens at the Westminster Dog Show?

During the afternoons of Monday and Tuesday of each year of the show, thousands of dogs gather to compete in breed specific rings. Love Frenchies? You’ll see a lot of them – 38 entered the French Bulldog class, for example.

Same with Labrador Retrievers with a record 43 entries – judging in that class took at least an hour. In total, 212 recognized breeds took part in the 2023 Westminster Dog Show with approximately 3,000 dogs gracing the Billie Jean King Tennis Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queens.

Other classes, like the miniature poodle, saw only two class entries. The Grand Basset Griffon Venden (the larger cousin of the Petit version) had only one entry, as the competitor didn’t make it to the show. Colt, however, the lone GBGV did a great job and headed straight to the evening group judging.

Dogs need to qualify and/or be invited based on past AKC dog show standings. The top five of each breed are invited. Others qualify based on points and apply to enter. And yes, dogs, handlers, and dog owners travel from around the world. Dogs from 13 countries outside the US arrived from as far away as Japan (five dogs). Of course Canada was represented with 63 dogs, including Coal, the Afghan Hound from Huron County, Ontario.

Please check out the first night of the Westminster Dog Show 2023 here, and why I hope it’s back at Madison Square Gardens next year.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America, and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research.