A boxer competes at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. Competition wraps up at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, held this year outside New York City due to the pandemic.
Mathew, a French bulldog, wins the top prize in his breed group at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
The Westminster Kennel Club dog show kicked off with an agility competition Friday. For the first time in its 145-year history, the storied canine competition was held outside the Big Apple due to pandemic precautions.
A handler gives her German short-haired pointer a treat after winning the Sporting category at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
CORRECTS TO SPORTING GROUP -The handler of a Nederlandse Kooijerhonde runs her dog for judges in the sporting group category at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Handlers bring the Sporting Group entrants at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show into the ring for judging, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
A West Highland white terrier named Boy leaves the ring after taking placing first in the terrier group at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
A Pekingese walks with its handler in the Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. The dog won the blue ribbon in Best in Show.
The handler of a Samoyed runs with her dog before the judges in the working group category at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. The dog won best in catgegory.
A West Highland white terrier named Boy trots with its handler during judging in the terrier group at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y. The dog won best in group.
Former Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds sits in the viewing stands during judging of the terrier group at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Wasabi, a Pekingese, rests on the winner’s podium with its trophy and ribbons after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
David Fitzpatrick, owner, breeder and handler, holds Wasabi, a Pekingese, after the dog won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
A handler gets the attention of his French bulldog during judging of the Best in Show category at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
David Fitzpatrick, owner, breeder and handler, poses with Wasabi, a Pekingese, after the dog won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
Competitors congratulate David Fitzpatrick, second from left, owner, breeder and handler of Wasabi, a Pekingese, who won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tarrytown, N.Y.
By JENNIFER PELTZ
Associated Press
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — The flavor of the year at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show: Wasabi.
A Pekingese named Wasabi won best in show Sunday night, notching a fifth-ever win for the unmistakable toy breed. A whippet named Bourbon repeated as runner-up.
Waddling through a small-but-mighty turn in the ring, Wasabi nabbed U.S. dogdom’s most prestigious prize after winning the big American Kennel Club National Championship in 2019.
“He has showmanship. He fits the breed standard. He has that little extra something, that sparkle, that sets a dog apart,” said Wasabi’s handler, breeder and co-owner, David Fitzpatrick. Show judge Patricia Trotter said simply: “What’s not to like about this dog? … He stood there as though he was a lion.”
Fitzpatrick, of East Berlin, Pennsylvania, guided the Peke’s grandfather Malachy to the Westminster title in 2012. Still, he said, “I just don’t always think lightning is going to strike twice.”
How will Wasabi celebrate?
“He can have a filet mignon. And I’ll have Champagne,” Fitzpatrick said with a laugh.
The 3-year-old Pekingese, meanwhile, was “pretty nonchalant about the whole thing,” his handler said. Indeed, Wasabi laid down on the dais, occasionally looking up as if to see what the fuss was all about, as Fitzpatrick spoke before a cluster of reporters and cameras.
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