Monty, a 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer, made history by becoming the first of his breed to win the Best in Show title at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Giant Schnauzers, as none had previously won this prestigious award.
Key Details About Monty
- Age and Background: Monty is a 5-year-old male from Ocean City, New Jersey.
- Ownership: He is co-owned by Sandra Nordstrom, Katherine Bernardin (also his handler), and Cherlann Ambrose.
- Breed History: The Giant Schnauzer was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930 but had never won Best in Show at Westminster until now[6].
- Previous Achievements: Monty has won the Working Group at Westminster for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025) and also secured Best in Show at the AKC National Championship in December 2024[1][6].
Competition Details
Monty competed against over 2,500 dogs from various breeds during the two-day event. The final competition involved seven group winners:
| Breed | Name | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Whippet | Bourbon | Hound |
| Shih Tzu | Comet | Toy |
| Bichon Frise | Neal | Non-Sporting |
| German Shepherd Dog | Mercedes | Herding |
| English Springer Spaniel | Freddie | Sporting |
| Skye Terrier | Archer | Terrier |
Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Bourbon, a Whippet who has been a frequent runner-up[4][6].
Significance of Monty’s Win
Monty’s victory ended a long drought for Working Group winners; no dog from this group had taken home Best in Show since Josh the Newfoundland won in 2004[1][7]. His win highlights not only his own excellence but also underscores the dedication required to succeed at such high levels of competition.
Katie Bernardin expressed her pride and joy after their historic win: “I’m incredibly proud of him; he always gives his best,” she said while fighting back tears[3].
Citations:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/magnificent-giant-schnauzer-wins-westminster-dog-show/story?id=118728315
[2] https://apnews.com/article/westminster-kennel-club-best-show-ec5dd7767afc63f1a658f2ec3040503a
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/11/sport/westminster-dog-best-in-show-2025-spt/index.html
[4] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monty-the-giant-schnauzer-wins-best-in-show-at-the-149th-annual-westminster-kennel-club-dog-show-302374472.html
[5] https://www.npr.org/2025/02/11/nx-s1-5293566/westminster-dog-show-schanuzer
[6] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/best-in-show-westminster-2025/
[7] https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2025/02/11/westminster-dog-show-live-updates-highlights/78426246007/
[8] https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2025/02/12/g-s1-48393/photos-westminster-dog-show-giant-schnauzer-monty
[9] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/monty-giant-schnauzer-wins-westminster-dog-show-rcna191804
[10] https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cwypz1e7lzno
