German Shorthaired Pointer Wins Westminster's Best In Show

By Doreen McCallister / NPR

Published February 16, 2016 at 8:50 PM PST

This story was published more than 8 years ago.

Sophia Rogers celebrates with Kiarry's Back In The Saddle, an American foxhound, after winning the junior showmanship competition during the Westminster dog show.

Falko, a wirehaired vizsla — a new breed for 2015 — poses for a press conference before the start of the show at Westminster.

A dog competes in the agility ring during the 2nd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster dog show.

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Mimi, a Britney spaniel rescue dog, demonstrates skills for the agility competition.

A Papillion competes in the agility ring.

Dogs line up for the obedience competition during the dog show.

A Komondor shows its stuff in the judging ring.

An American cocker spaniel gets a blow-dry in the grooming area.

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Handler Valerie Nunes-Atkinson shares a moment with German shorthaired pointer C.J. after he won Best in Show at the 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday.

An Irish Wolfhound chills in the grooming area.

CJ performs in the ring. Owner Valerie Nunes-Atkinson said from the time CJ was a puppy, she knew he had "that something extra."

Three-year-old CJ, a male German shorthaired pointer, was named best in show at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden in New York Tuesday night.

CJ's owner, Valerie Nunes-Atlinson from Temecula, Calif., said from the time CJ was a puppy, she knew he had "that something extra."

The other owners are Alice Manning and Yvonne Hassler-Deterding.

After naming America's top dog, judge Richard Meen said CJ was an "outstanding example of the breed."

The Associated Press reports:

"CJ certainly came from championship stock. His grandmother, Carlee, was one of two previous German shorthaired pointers to win Westminster, taking the title in 2005."

Reserve best in show, which is second place, went to a borzoi named Lucy.

CJ, which stands for California Journey, also beat a Skye terrier, German shepherd, bulldog, shih tzu and Samoyed to win the show's silver bowl.

While CJ's team doesn't win any prize money, the breeding rights are valuable.

There were 2,752 entries in 199 breeds registered in the premier dog show.