(CNN) — Vito the Pug was crowned Best in Show at the 92nd National Dog Show. This is the first time in at least 20 years that a pug has won this title.
Vito, a 2 1/2-year-old pug with sympathetic eyes and a muscular stature, beat out about 2,000 other dogs at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on this year’s show, which aired Thursday on NBC. I won.
Vito’s co-owner Carolyn Koch of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, told NBC that Vito had won 25 Best Shows in his short career, adding that she was “very proud” of the pug. Ta.
Vito beat out the Welsh Terrier, Giant Schnauzer, Clumber Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Berger Picard and Ibizan Hound to take the top spot. Second place went to Verde, a Welsh terrier.
Any dog registered with the American Kennel Club may participate in the show. Judges evaluate contestants based on appearance, temperament, and structure, focusing on how well the contestant fits the expectations of the breed.
The winning animal’s owner takes home a $2,000 prize.
Last year’s winner was a cream-colored Sealyham Terrier named Starsh.
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