Introduction
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog shows in the United States. First held in 1877, Westminster is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the country after the Kentucky Derby. Winning Best in Show at Westminster represents the pinnacle for any show dog. As such, repeat winners are rare. In the history of Westminster, only four dogs have won Best in Show twice.
[1] https://vault.si.com/vault/1955/02/14/the-westminster-dog-show
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westminster_Kennel_Club_Dog_Show
History of Repeat Winners
Winning Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an incredible achievement. Out of thousands of dogs that compete each year, only one can take home the top prize. Given the intense competition, it is extremely rare for a dog to win Westminster multiple times.
In the over 100-year history of Westminster, only four dogs have ever won Best in Show twice. The first was a fox terrier named Warren Remedy, who remains the most decorated Westminster dog to date. Warren Remedy won the top honor an astounding three times – in 1907, 1908 and 1909. For over 15 years after, no other dog would repeat as Best in Show.
It wasn’t until the 1920s that Westminster would crown another repeat winner. In 1924 and 1925, a Scottish terrier named Bessie won back-to-back Best in Show titles. She was only the second Westminster dog to accomplish this feat.
Despite a few early repeat champions, winning Westminster multiple times has proven extremely difficult. Heading into the modern era, over 50 different breeds had won Best in Show. But none had ever won twice in over 60 years of competition.
Rufus – The First Repeat Winner
The first dog to win Best in Show at Westminster twice was a Colored Bull Terrier named Rufus. He was owned by William Rockefeller and handled by Albert Payson Terhune. Rufus was born in 1902 and was purchased by Rockefeller as a pet and show dog. He made his debut at Westminster in 1905 at just three years old and shocked the dog show world by winning Best in Show as a relative newcomer.
The following year, Rufus returned to Westminster and won again, becoming the first repeat Best in Show winner. His back-to-back victories caused a sensation in the dog show community. Rufus was known for his gentle and friendly temperament, despite the Bull Terrier’s reputation as an aggressive breed at the time. His wins helped improve the public perception of Bull Terriers. According to his handler, Rufus was calm and confident in the show ring, endearing himself to the judges.
Rufus passed away in 1909 at the age of 7. He was remembered not only for his Westminster victories, but for being a cherished family companion to the Rockefellers. Rufus paved the way for future repeat champions and proved that with the right combination of breeding, training and temperament, a dog could rise to the top more than once at the prestigious Westminster show.
Bessie – 1924 and 1925
Bessie, a Boston Terrier bred by Dr. L. C. Sanford, was the first dog to win Best in Show at Westminster two years in a row in 1924 and 1925 (Past Westminster Winners). She was owned and handled by Morris Loeb. Bessie won Best of Breed both years and then went on to take home the highest honor at Westminster.
Bessie’s back-to-back wins were an impressive achievement, as repeat winners were very rare at the time. Her repeat victories demonstrated her consistent quality and superiority over other dogs year after year. Bessie helped elevate the popularity of Boston Terriers as a breed.
After her 1925 win, Bessie was featured on the cover of Time magazine – a true testament to her fame and impact. She retired soon after her second Westminster win at 6 years old. Bessie’s consecutive Best in Show wins remain a feat matched by only a few select dogs in Westminster history.
Warren Remedy – The First Repeat Winner
The first dog to win Best in Show at Westminster multiple times was a smooth-coated Fox Terrier named Warren Remedy. Warren Remedy was owned and handled by the famous terrierman Charles Warren. The dog won the top honor at Westminster an impressive three times – in 1907, 1908, and 1909 [1]. This early 20th century champion set a record that has yet to be matched over a hundred years later.
Warren Remedy was bred in 1905 by Joe Lewis out of the bitch Ch Warren Mixture and sired by the popular stud dog Ch Cackler of Notts [2]. She was a top winning show dog in both England and America. Under Charles Warren’s expert handling, Warren Remedy had a spectacular show career, winning the National Terrier Club show three times before her Westminster victories.
With her three Best in Show wins, Warren Remedy demonstrated sustained excellence over several years at the prestigious Westminster show. She cemented her place as one of the greatest show dogs of all time. More than a century later, she remains the only dog to have won Best in Show at Westminster three times.
Dogs with Multiple Non-Consecutive Wins
While it is rare for dogs to win Best in Show at Westminster multiple times, it is even more rare for a dog to win multiple times but not consecutively. Here are some examples of dogs who accomplished this feat:
Chinoe’s Adamant James won Westminster in 1971 and 1974. This Irish setter was the first of his breed to take home the top prize at Westminster, and his 1974 win made him one of only three dogs at the time to have won Westminster twice.
In the 1980s, a bichon frise named Special Times won Best in Show in 1983 and then again in 1985. This fluffy white dog was the first bichon frise to ever win at Westminster.
Most recently, a Sussex spaniel named Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee won Westminster in 2009 and 2011. Interestingly, Three D Grinchy Glee was retired after his 2009 win but made a comeback in 2011 at age 10 to claim his second Best in Show title.
While less common than consecutive wins, these dogs demonstrated exceptional quality by being able to win Westminster’s top honor multiple times over the course of their show careers.
The 21st Century
In the 21st century, no dog has won Best in Show at Westminster more than once. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is considered the most prestigious dog show in the United States and repeat winners are rare. As of 2023, the last dog to win Westminster twice was a Smooth Fox Terrier named Ch. Warren Remedy in 1907 and 1909 (List of Best in Show winners).
Some notable Best in Show winners in the 21st century include:
- 2020 – Ch. GCHP Stone Run Afternoon Tea (Poodle)
- 2021 – Ch. Wasabi (Pekingese)
- 2022 – Trumpet the Bloodhound
- 2023 – Ch. Soletrader Buddy Holly (Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen)
While no dog has won twice in the 21st century yet, some have come close such as the Wire Fox Terrier Ch. GCHG CH Afterall Painting The Sky who won in 2019 and was runner-up in 2020. With over 200 breeds competing, it remains extremely difficult for any one dog to win Best in Show more than once in the modern era of Westminster.
Why Repeats Are Rare
Winning Best in Show at Westminster is an incredibly difficult feat, and repeating as champion is even rarer. There are several factors that contribute to why dogs struggle to win Westminster multiple times.
First, each year brings new competition. With over 2,500 dogs entering Westminster every year across 200 breeds, past winners inevitably go up against new challengers. Even a top dog has no guarantee of outperforming the latest up-and-comers.
Additionally, dogs are eligible to compete at Westminster for a limited number of years. Most competitors only have a few chances in their prime to earn the top honor. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs are eligible until they reach 8 years old, which gives contenders a small window to establish themselves as repeat victors.
There’s also significant pressure and expectation placed on past Westminster winners. Handlers, owners, breeders, and fans all hope for a repeat, which adds more stress and scrutiny each time a previous winner enters the ring. This limelight and attention can impact a dog’s performance.
While some breeds like Wire Fox Terriers and Scottish Terriers have excelled at Westminster, there are no guarantees from year to year, even for dogs of the same breed. Each dog is unique, and winning is dependent on complete performance in the moment, not just bloodline.
The prestigious Westminster competition continues to evolve and grow in popularity, meaning repeat champions must fend off new challenges. Despite all obstacles, dogs like Rufus and Bessie have managed to rise to the occasion and make history by winning Westminster multiple times.
Contenders for Future Repeats
Looking at recent winners at Westminster, there are a few dogs who could potentially win Best in Show again in the coming years. According to the Westminster Dog Show 2023 Results, the Whippet named Hollywood was the 2022 Best in Show winner and also won the Hound Group again in 2023 at the age of 4. As a young dog in his prime, Hollywood could contend for a repeat Best in Show title in 2024 or 2025.
The Bulldog named Thor took Reserve Best in Show honors in 2022 and has won the Non-Sporting Group two years in a row now. At age 4 in 2023, Thor could be a threat to win it all at Westminster in the next couple years. The Golden Retriever Belle also won the Sporting Group again in 2023 after taking the top Sporting dog award in 2021. With consecutive group wins in recent years, Belle could be poised for a Best in Show repeat soon.
While repeats are rare, these recent multi-year group winners have demonstrated consistent excellence and could have a shot at making Westminster history with back-to-back Best in Show titles in the near future.
Conclusion
The history of repeat Westminster winners reveals just how exceptional consecutive or multiple Best in Show victories are at this prestigious competition. Only three dogs in over 100 years have ever won Westminster twice in a row – Rufus in 1915-16, Bessie in 1924-25, and Warren Remedy in 1907-09. A handful of other champions have managed multiple wins, but never back-to-back. This rarity illustrates the intense competition at Westminster, where each year brings new challenges from talented dogs and expert handlers. With thousands of dogs competing, everything must align perfectly for one to rise above the rest two years running. While future repeats remain possible, these occurrences will likely continue to be uncommon and remarkable. For a dog to be crowned Best in Show repeatedly speaks to their exceptional quality and confirmation to breed standards across multiple prime years of competition. The rarity of repeat Westminster winners is a testament to the consistently high caliber of each year’s contenders.
