The National Dog Show is a long-standing tradition in the world of canine competitions. It has been held annually since 1933 and is one of the most anticipated dog shows in the U.S. The show is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and was broadcast live by NBC on Thanksgiving Day, allowing dog lovers across the nation to enjoy the excitement of the event.
The prestigious event began in 1879 and was first televised in 2002, saw Vito emerge as the first pug to claim the top honor in two decades. The show, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, featured over 2,000 dogs from more than 200 breeds. Vito stood out as the Toy Group winner before ultimately triumphing in the competition.
Vito’s journey to the spotlight began when he was named the Toy Group winner, a category that included 24 breeds. His victory in this category qualified him to compete against the six other group winners for the coveted Best in Show title. In a thrilling final showdown, Vito’s calm demeanor and distinctive, sympathetic eyes won over the judges, securing him the top honor.
Co-owner Carolyn Koch shared her pride, telling NBC that Vito has amassed an impressive 25 Best in Show titles in his short but successful career. “I’m so proud of him,” she said, reflecting on the pug’s meteoric rise to fame.
When the judge, George Milutinovich, asked Vito’s handler, Michael Scott, if the pug knew he had won, Scott couldn’t help but playfully respond, “He’s very smug. I think he knows.” Vito’s charismatic personality, coupled with his impressive performance in the ring, made him an undeniable favorite among judges and audiences.
Vito’s win at the 2024 National Dog Show is a milestone for the pug breed, which has not seen such a victory in this competition for 20 years. His win comes as part of a continued tradition of excellence in dog shows, with the National Dog Show being a major event in the American canine community since its founding in 1879.
While Vito’s triumph was the highlight of the event, the National Dog Show also saw other outstanding dogs from various groups. The Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Verde, the Welsh Terrier, winner of the Terrier Group. Other group winners included Rupert the Berger Picard (Herding Group), The Zit the Ibizan Hound (Hound Group), JJ the Lhasa Apso (Non-Sporting Group), Houston the Clumber Spaniel (Sporting Group), and Monty the Giant Schnauzer (Working Group).
