Buddy Holly wins top prize at Westminster dog show - Los Angeles Times
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Buddy Holly wins top prize at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Handler Janice Hays poses for photos with Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, after he won best in show
Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, poses with handler Janice Hays after winning best in show during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday in New York.
(Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)
By Chuck SchilkenStaff Writer 
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Buddy Holly is Best in Show.

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen named after a rock legend became the first of his breed to take top honors at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

“He’s just everything a PBGV should be — hardheaded, stubborn, happy,†said Janice Hays, Buddy Holly’s handler. “He moves just so easily, and we are just so proud of him.â€

Buddy Holly won the hound group competition to advance to the final round, where he faced the winners of the six other group competition winners Tuesday night at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Rummie, a Pekingese and winner of the toy group, was runner-up.

Winston the French bulldog, last year’s runner-up, was back in the finals after winning the non-sporting group competition Monday night. He was unable to duplicate his success from a year ago but remained a fan favorite.

Here’s a look at Winston’s journey back to the Best in Show round.

Winston, a French bulldog, competes in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show
Winston, a French bulldog, competes in the non-sporting group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday in New York.
(Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)
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Winston the French bulldog peers from a box labeled "Non-Sporting Group"
Winston peers from the non-sporting group box during Monday’s competition.
(Mary Altaffer / Associated Press)
Four French bulldogs with their handlers at Westminster.
Winston is led by his handler and co-owner Perry Payson as he competes against other entrants Monday in New York.
(John Minchillo / Associated Press)

Winston is co-owned by Chargers defensive end Morgan Fox, whose grandmother, Sandy, breeds French bulldogs and gifted Winston to Fox as a puppy.

“We raised him and she said, ‘Can I show him? We just like to show dogs,’ †Morgan Fox told ESPN last year. “And he just started winning and winning and kept winning.â€

Winston's handler carries him during the show.
Winston is carried by handler and co-owner Perry Payson as they take part in Monday’s best in breed competition.
(John Minchillo / Associated Press)
Winston is inspected during the show.
Winston is inspected for breed standards at the 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday in New York.
(John Minchillo / Associated Press)
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Chuck Schilken

Chuck Schilken is a sports reporter on the Fast Break team. He spent more than 18 years with the Los Angeles Times’ Sports Department in a variety of roles. Before joining The Times, he worked for more than a decade as a sports reporter and editor at newspapers in Virginia and Maryland.

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