In a competition with more than 2,000 dogs and 185 different breeds and varieties, there were several upsets. But Malachy, a 4-year-old Pekingese, was one favorite who delivered at Madison Square Garden.
Photos: 2012 Westminster Dog Show
Malachy, who will retire after Westminster, is the No. 2 dog in the country and has won 115 best in shows. "He's a lot of dog in a small package," handler David Fitzpatrick said.
Malachy beat six other group winners to become the fourth Peke to win Westminster and the first since 1990.
Reclining on a blue ice pack after his victory, Malachy looked ready for retirement. Fitzpatrick said the Peke can look forward to a life of chasing squirrels in the yard. Here's guessing the squirrels aren't too worried.
As the others trotted around the ring, Malachy ambled doing a miniature lap in comparison.
Emily, an Irish setter, who gave birth to a litter of 15 puppies in May, won the sporting group. Emily hadn't competed in a year as she and her coat recovered. Dogs typically "blow their coats" after giving birth, and Emily lost her beautiful auburn coat, which takes about a year to fill back out.
Fifi, a Doberman, took the working group and gained plenty of new fans on her Facebook page, the Fifinator. With a championship name of Protocol's Veni Vidi Vici, Fifi certainly came, saw and conquered.
Her owner-breeder-handler Jocelyn Mullins winkingly chose the name Fifi to poke fun at the breed's fierce reputation. "It's like naming a Chihuahua 'Spike,' " Mullins said.
Cinders, a scruffy-bearded wire-haired dachshund, won the hound group. The top-ranked wire-haired dachshund in the country. Chelsey, a Kerry Blue terrier, won the terrier group, handled by Bill McFadden, whose Kerry Blue, Mick, won Best in Show in 2003. A Dalmatian and German shepherd also made it to Best in Show.