This time, the giant schnauzer went the full Monty.

After coming close in the last two years, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize at the Tuesday night, leaving handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin almost too emotional to speak.

B次元官网网址淗e always tries so hard, and weB次元官网网址檙e just proud of him,B次元官网网址� she told the crowd at Madison Square Garden.

The spirited schnauzer bested six other finalists to become the first of his breed tapped as , the most prestigious prize in the U.S. dog show world. The dog won the huge American Kennel Club championship in December, and heB次元官网网址檇 been a Westminster twice before.

A standout because of B次元官网网址渆verything from his attitude to his structure,B次元官网网址� Monty is bold, cocky and fun, according to co-owner Sandy Nordstrom.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 just a really cool dog,B次元官网网址� she said in an interview before his win, which will be his last. The 5-year-old is retiring from showing.

The runner-up was, a whippet known as Bourbon. Other finalists included a bichon fris茅 called Neal, a Skye terrier named Archer, and a shih tzu called Comet whoB次元官网网址檚 .

Also in the mix were a German shepherd named Mercedes, who last year, and an English springer spaniel called Freddie.

Each dog at Westminster is judged for its breed. Winners get a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights, but no cash prize.

During a break between semifinal rounds, security personnel surrounded and ousted someone along the sidelines of the ring. The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has protested the dog show for years, said on X that a supporter was removed after holding a sign.

Westminster says it celebrates all dogs. The show champions that compete also are household pets, and some , search-and-rescue or other canine jobs.

B次元官网网址淎 good German shepherd is an all-purpose dog,B次元官网网址� said MercedesB次元官网网址� co-breeder and co-owner Sheree Moses Combs of Wardensville, West Virginia. Some of her pups have become service dogs for wounded veterans, she said.

B次元官网网址淒og shows are fun, but that is what our breed is all about,B次元官网网址� she said.

While Monty got this yearB次元官网网址檚 trophy, other hopefuls also scored points with spectators.

During two nights of semifinals, spectators shouted out breeds and names of canine competitors as if they played for one of the pro teams that call the Garden home, the NBAB次元官网网址檚 New York Knicks and NHLB次元官网网址檚 New York Rangers.

B次元官网网址淟ove you, Lumpy!B次元官网网址� someone yelled to a Pekingese named Lumpy, who earned laughs for his ambling gait.

The arena erupted with cheers for Penny the Doberman pinscher and for a golden retriever named Tuffy, a representative of a popular breed that has never won. She also got some recognition from the judge, as did another crowd favorite, Calaco the Xoloitzcuintli. His breed (pronounced shoh-loh-eets-KWEENB次元官网网址�-tlees) are hairless dogs with deep roots in Mexico.

A trip to Westminster is a reminder of dogsB次元官网网址� variety, even just among purebreds. While big, B次元官网网址渨orkingB次元官网网址� dogs had their day at Westminster on Tuesday, so did terriers.

First-round competitor Brina, for instance, is a 158-pound (71.6 kilogram) Neapolitan mastiff. The jowly breed was developed to be an imposing guard dog, but BrinaB次元官网网址檚 owner, Yves Belmont, Ph.D., said he also is impressed by its intelligence. He keeps several of the dogs at his Atlanta-area home.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been struck by this breed since I was 12. B次元官网网址� TheyB次元官网网址檙e so unique,B次元官网网址� Belmont said as Brina napped in her crate, equipped with a two-gallon (7.5-liter) water bucket.

Meanwhile, Tyra the miniature bull terrier also strutted her stuff in a first-round ring. GCH CH RnrB次元官网网址檚 Top Model, sheB次元官网网址檚 named after fashion model Tyra Banks.

The hardy terrier breed is B次元官网网址渁 big dog in a small package, but they always keep you smiling,B次元官网网址� said owner and co-breeder Jessica Harrison of Austin, Texas. Asked where the 2-year-old Tyra falls on the mischief meter, Harrison smiled, B次元官网网址渓ike a nine, for sure.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 be upset with them because theyB次元官网网址檙e just so cute,B次元官网网址� she said as Tyra rolled on her back to get a belly rub from a passerby at the Javits Center, the convention venue that hosted the first-round judging of each breed.

Westminster also featured agility and obedience championships, . The agility prize went to a border collie named Vanish, and an Australian shepherd called Willie triumphed in obedience.

Jennifer Peltz, The Associated Press