The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Night One Results — Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting & Herding Groups

The Westminster Kennel Club announced the winners of the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups during night one of the milestone 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at Madison Square Garden, “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”

HOUND GROUP

The Afghan Hound of Ingleside, IL, handled by Wilmer Santiago and owned by Ramon Podesta, D. Scott Pfeil, James Donahue, and Armando Sobrado won the Hound Group under judge Mr. Michael Canalizo of Mill Neck, NY. Zaida, a six-year-old female officially known as GCHG CH Zaida Bint Muti Von Haussman took top honors among the 35 dogs entered in the Hound Group.

This year’s Hound Group winner received the brand new Vin-Melca Trophy, named in honor of pioneer breeder-owner-handler Pat Trotter. The trophy, named after Pat’s world-renowned Vin-Melca Norwegian Elkhounds, recognizes her remarkable achievements within the show ring, along with her steadfast dedication and passion to the sport of purpose-bred dogs.

TOY GROUP

The Maltese of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, handled by Tim Lehman and owned by Tammy A Simon & Dr. Diana Egnor, won the Toy Group under judge Ms. Charlotte Patterson of Destin, FL. Cookie, a four-year-old female officially known as GCHB CH Ta-Jon’s Made From Scratch took top honors among the 25 dogs entered in the Toy Group.

NON-SPORTING GROUP

The Lhasa Apso of Manakin Sabot, VA, handled by Susan S. Giles and owned by Susan S. Giles, Cindy Sehnert, and Muriel Wolverton, won the Non-Sporting Group under judge Mr. Eugene Blake of Tulsa, OK. JJ, a five-year-old male officially known as GCHP CH Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice took top honors among the 21 dogs entered in the Non-Sporting Group.

HERDING GROUP

The Old English Sheepdog of Colorado Springs, CO handled by Colton Johnson and owned by Colton  Heather, Michaelanne & Douglas Johnson, and Ron & Christine Perry, won the Herding Group under judge Mrs. Sheree Moses Combs of Wardensville, WV. Graham, a four-year-old male officially known as GCHB CH Bugaboo’s Give Me Smore’ took top honors among the 34 dogs entered in the Herding Group.

NIGHT ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Monday night’s show also featured an exclusive presentation of an elite group of “Westminster Legends,” a celebratory tribute to some of the sport’s most beloved winners, including Monty the Giant Schnauzer (Best in Show 2025), Siba the Standard Poodle (Best in Show 2020), Bono the Havanese (Reserve Best in Show 2019, Toy Group 2020), Wilma the Boxer (Working Group 2019 and 2020), Striker the Samoyed (Working Group 2021 and 2022), Daniel the Golden Retriever (Sporting Group 2020), Ribbon the Australian Shepherd (Herding Group 2024), and Louis the Afghan Hound (Hound Group 2024).

Spectators also experienced action-packed races from the 13th Annual Masters Agility Championship and Flyball Tournament, which returned to Westminster for a second year by popular demand. Representatives from the winning teams – That’s So Fetch, Wicked Runners, Mass Chaos, and Jersey Shore Runners – competed in this high-energy sport that combines speed, agility, and teamwork. The 2026 Masters Agility champion, Prove-It the Border Collie, and All-American (mixed breed) winner, Iron Man, faced off against each other in a thrilling race that took place only at Madison Square Garden.

Image Courtesy of Getty Images for The Westminster Kennel Club

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Posted by Liz on Feb 3 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.