The Reigning Champions: Meet The Stunning AKC Dog Show Winners Of 2024

The world of competitive dog shows is a spectacle of elegance, precision, and breed perfection. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has crowned two major champions for the 2024 season: the winners of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the AKC National Championship. These events represent the pinnacle of canine competition, bringing together thousands of top-ranked dogs from across the globe to compete for the ultimate title, Best in Show.

The 2024 season delivered some truly memorable moments, with a graceful Miniature Poodle and a powerful Giant Schnauzer capturing the hearts of judges and spectators alike. Their victories not only cemented their place in dog show history but also highlighted the incredible dedication of their handlers, owners, and breeders. This article provides an in-depth look at the magnificent dogs who became the reigning AKC Dog Show Winners of 2024.

The Ultimate Champions: 2024 AKC Dog Show Best in Show Winners Profile

The two most coveted titles in the American dog show circuit are Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and Best in Show at the AKC National Championship. Here is a complete profile of the two dogs who achieved these monumental wins in 2024.

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Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2024 Winner: Sage the Miniature Poodle

• Title: Best in Show, 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
• Date of Win: May 14, 2024
• Breed: Miniature Poodle
• Call Name: Sage
• Full Registered Name: GCHG CH Surrey Sage
• Age: 3 years old at the time of the win
• Group Won: Non-Sporting Group
• Handler: Kaz Hosaka
• Location: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, New York
• Historical Significance: Sage’s victory marked the sixth time a Miniature Poodle has won Best in Show at Westminster.

AKC National Championship 2024 Winner: Monty the Giant Schnauzer

• Title: Best in Show, 24th Annual AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin
• Date of Win: Aired December 2024 (Competition held in December 2024)
• Breed: Giant Schnauzer
• Call Name: Monty
• Full Registered Name: GCHS CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB
• Age: 5 years old at the time of the win
• Group Won: Working Group
• Handler: Katie Bernardin
• Historical Significance: Monty's win was a major achievement, following his success in the Working Group for three consecutive years at Westminster. The show is the largest dog show in the nation, with over 5,600 competitors.

The Road to Best in Show: How Sage and Monty Dominated

Winning Best in Show at either Westminster or the AKC National Championship requires a dog to first triumph over its peers in a series of rigorous elimination rounds. The journey begins with the Breed competition, followed by the Group competition, and finally, the Best in Show ring. The 2024 champions demonstrated exceptional breed type, condition, and performance at every level.

Sage’s Graceful Victory at Westminster

Sage, the Miniature Poodle, captivated the judges with her elegant gait and impeccable presentation. Her handler, the renowned Kaz Hosaka, guided her through the Non-Sporting Group where she defeated formidable competition. The Miniature Poodle is a breed known for its intelligence and flashy showmanship, and Sage embodied both of these traits flawlessly. Her win was a testament to the decades of masterful breeding and conditioning that go into producing a champion of this caliber. Her registered name, GCHG CH Surrey Sage, denotes her Grand Champion Gold status, a title earned through numerous previous victories, proving her consistent excellence.

The final Best in Show lineup at Westminster is arguably the most pressure-filled ring in the dog world. Sage faced off against the winners of the Hound, Toy, Terrier, Working, Sporting, and Herding Groups. The judge ultimately selected Sage for her overall balance, quality, and the sheer joy she displayed in the ring, a characteristic often referred to as "ring presence."

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Monty’s Powerful Performance at the AKC National Championship

The AKC National Championship, often called "The Eukanuba Show," is famous for its massive scale, drawing more dogs than any other event in the country. Monty, the Giant Schnauzer, brought a powerful presence to the ring, a hallmark of the Working Group. Giant Schnauzers are a robust and imposing breed, and Monty’s commanding physique and confident movement set him apart from the competition early on. He won the Working Group, a category filled with breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, and Great Dane, before moving on to Best in Show.

Handler Katie Bernardin and Monty, who hail from Chaplin, Connecticut, formed an undeniable partnership that shone under the bright lights of the championship ring. The judges were looking for a dog that not only met the breed standard but also exuded the spirit and health of a truly great champion. Monty's win was a popular one, solidifying the Giant Schnauzer’s reputation as a top-tier show dog.

The Runners-Up: Reserve Best in Show Winners

While the Best in Show winner takes the spotlight, the dog awarded Reserve Best in Show (RBIS) is the second most highly decorated dog of the entire event. These dogs demonstrated near-perfect performance and are champions in their own right, having defeated thousands of other dogs to reach the final two.

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Westminster 2024 Reserve Best in Show

The 2024 Westminster Reserve Best in Show title went to a magnificent competitor from the Herding Group: the German Shepherd Dog, officially known as GCHG CH Kaleef's Mercedes. "Mercedes" was expertly handled by Kent Boyles. The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most recognizable breeds globally, and Mercedes's precise movement and classic silhouette made for a close contest in the final Best in Show judging.

AKC National Championship 2024 Reserve Best in Show

The runner-up at the 2024 AKC National Championship was the elegant Afghan Hound named "Louis". The Afghan Hound, a member of the Hound Group, is instantly recognizable for its distinct long, silky coat and proud, aristocratic bearing. Louis's performance was a highlight of the show, demonstrating the breed’s unique combination of power and grace, making him a deserving recipient of the Reserve Best in Show title.

Topical Authority: Other Key 2024 AKC Dog Show Entities

The competitive dog show world is vast, with many other champions crowned across various specialties and categories at these major events. These victories contribute to the overall topical authority of the AKC show circuit.

• AKC Rally National Champion 2024: The Rally National Championship, a separate but related event, was won by a dog named "Zuko," showcasing excellence in obedience and precision.
• AKC Breeder of the Year 2024: This prestigious award, presented at the AKC National Championship, went to Sandi Lyon for Margaux Bouviers, recognizing her lifetime commitment to breeding excellence.
• AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals 2024 Winner: This separate competition for dogs shown by their owners (rather than a professional handler) was won by a Bernese Mountain Dog named “Ulli”.
• Westminster Group Winners 2024: The group winners who competed against Sage in the final ring included the Working Group winner, the Giant Schnauzer "Monty" (who also won the AKC National Championship), highlighting the incredible level of competition.

The 2024 AKC dog show season was a stunning display of canine athleticism and beauty. From the Miniature Poodle's flawless movement to the Giant Schnauzer's powerful stance, the champions Sage and Monty, along with their Reserve Best in Show counterparts Mercedes and Louis, will be remembered as the dogs who defined excellence in the year's most important competitions.