The highest prize in the world of Conformation dog shows is Best in Show at the AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin. Only one overall winner can be crowned, but seven dogs came out on top in each group out of 5,600 competitors. After a weekend of intense competition from December 14-15 at the Orlando County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The winners were announced in a broadcast on ABC that aired on December 29, 2024.
Group winners in each category competed first among the dogs in their breeds to determine Best in Breed. Then, dogs in each breed went on to compete against all other dogs in their group: the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group, and Working Group. Out of the winners of each group, the Best in Show winner and Reserve Best in Show winner were chosen on Sunday night, judged by Mr. Carl Liepmann. See the 2024 AKC National Championship group winners below.
John Ricard © AKC
Each AKC-recognized dog breed falls into one of seven group classifications:
The winner of the Herding Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was German Shepherd Dog “Mercedes” GCHP CH Kaleef’s Mercedes, who also won the group at the same event in 2023. Mercedes is owned by Cynthian Wilhelmy and Sheree Moses of Bethesda, MD, and was bred by Sheree Moses Combs, Lauren Arbaugh, Madeline Llewellyn, and Jeanne Hamilton.
John Ricard © AKC
The Hound Group winner at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Afghan Hound “Louis” GCHP2 CH Sunlit’s King Of Queens. Louis is owned by Alicia Morrison Jones and Jamie Souza Bartlett of Roseville, CA. Louis was bred by Tara Richardson, Pam Winkelmeier, and Norma Feldman.
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Non-Sporting Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was was Bichen Frise “Neal” GCHS CH Top Speed Neal. Neal is owned by Ellen Charles, Fan Yang, and Nancy Brown of Mabank, TX. Neal was bred by Cuibin Xie.
The winner of the Sporting Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Gordon Setter “River” GCHB CH Tamarack Valley View River Of Dreams. River is owned by Dr. Ellen Shanahan and Stacy Threlfall of Great Barrington, MA. River was bred by Brian Hubbard, Matthew McGillivray, and JoAnne Van Aller.
John Ricard © AKC
The Terrier Group winner at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Welsh Terrier “Verde” GCHB CH Studio Be Curious Jp Justice Hero. Verde is owned by Jill See, Yuko Iguchi, Gabriel Rangel, and Ivonne Rangle of Somis, CA. Verde was bred by Yuko Iguchi.
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Toy Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Miniature Pinscher “Valentina” CH Rexroth Kimro Valentina. Valentina is owned by Steve and Lesley Walters, Kimberly Calvacca, and Robin Greenslade of Westbury, NY. Valentina was bred by Lesley Rita Walter, Stefan Walter, and Kimberly Calvacca.
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Working Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Giant Schnauzer “Monty” GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB. Monty is owned by Katie Bernadin, Sandra Nordstrom, and C. Ambrose of Ocean City, NJ. Monty was bred by Cherlann Ambrose.
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Group winners in each category competed first among the dogs in their breeds to determine Best in Breed. Then, dogs in each breed went on to compete against all other dogs in their group: the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group, and Working Group. Out of the winners of each group, the Best in Show winner and Reserve Best in Show winner were chosen on Sunday night, judged by Mr. Carl Liepmann. See the 2024 AKC National Championship group winners below.
John Ricard © AKC
Best in Group
Each AKC-recognized dog breed falls into one of seven group classifications:
- Herding: These dogs were bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd their livestock. The Collie, Australian Shepherd, and Old English Sheepdog are some of the breeds in this group.
- Hound: These breeds were bred for hunting other game by sight or scent. These breeds include such dogs as Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, and Greyhounds.
- Non-Sporting: This diverse group includes the Chow Chow, Dalmatian, and French Bulldog. These dogs vary in size and function, and many are considered companion dogs.
- Sporting: These dogs were bred to hunt game birds both on land and in the water. The breeds in this group include Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels.
- Terrier: This group includes breeds such as the Airedale Terrier, Cairn Terrier, and Scottish Terrier. Terriers were bred to rid property of vermin such as rats.
- Toy: These dogs were bred to be household companions. This group includes little dogs such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, and Pug.
- Working: These dogs were bred to pull carts, guard property, and perform search and rescue services. Among the breeds in this group are the Akita, Boxer, and Saint Bernard.
The Group Winners of the 2024 AKC National Championship
Herding Group Winner
The winner of the Herding Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was German Shepherd Dog “Mercedes” GCHP CH Kaleef’s Mercedes, who also won the group at the same event in 2023. Mercedes is owned by Cynthian Wilhelmy and Sheree Moses of Bethesda, MD, and was bred by Sheree Moses Combs, Lauren Arbaugh, Madeline Llewellyn, and Jeanne Hamilton.
Hound Group Winner
John Ricard © AKC
The Hound Group winner at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Afghan Hound “Louis” GCHP2 CH Sunlit’s King Of Queens. Louis is owned by Alicia Morrison Jones and Jamie Souza Bartlett of Roseville, CA. Louis was bred by Tara Richardson, Pam Winkelmeier, and Norma Feldman.
Non-Sporting Group Winner
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Non-Sporting Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was was Bichen Frise “Neal” GCHS CH Top Speed Neal. Neal is owned by Ellen Charles, Fan Yang, and Nancy Brown of Mabank, TX. Neal was bred by Cuibin Xie.
Sporting Group Winner
The winner of the Sporting Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Gordon Setter “River” GCHB CH Tamarack Valley View River Of Dreams. River is owned by Dr. Ellen Shanahan and Stacy Threlfall of Great Barrington, MA. River was bred by Brian Hubbard, Matthew McGillivray, and JoAnne Van Aller.
Terrier Group Winner
John Ricard © AKC
The Terrier Group winner at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Welsh Terrier “Verde” GCHB CH Studio Be Curious Jp Justice Hero. Verde is owned by Jill See, Yuko Iguchi, Gabriel Rangel, and Ivonne Rangle of Somis, CA. Verde was bred by Yuko Iguchi.
Toy Group Winner
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Toy Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Miniature Pinscher “Valentina” CH Rexroth Kimro Valentina. Valentina is owned by Steve and Lesley Walters, Kimberly Calvacca, and Robin Greenslade of Westbury, NY. Valentina was bred by Lesley Rita Walter, Stefan Walter, and Kimberly Calvacca.
Working Group Winner
John Ricard © AKC
The winner of the Working Group at the 2024 AKC National Championship was Giant Schnauzer “Monty” GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB. Monty is owned by Katie Bernadin, Sandra Nordstrom, and C. Ambrose of Ocean City, NJ. Monty was bred by Cherlann Ambrose.
The post Group Winners Crowned at the 2024 AKC National Championship appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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