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Banana Joe wins Westminster Best in Show [PHOTOS]

Swagger the sheepdog came runner up to monkey-faced affenpinscher Banana Joe, who won Best in Show at Westminster.
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Banana Joe the Affenpinscher stands near the championship trophy after winning Best in Show at the 137th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 12, 2013. (File/UPI/John Angelillo)
Banana Joe the Affenpinscher stands near the championship trophy after winning Best in Show at the 137th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 12, 2013. (File/UPI/John Angelillo) 
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Published: Feb. 13, 2013 at 9:29 AM
Updated Feb. 13, 2013 at 10:34 AM
By KRISTEN BUTLER, UPI.com

Banana Joe, a 4-year-old grand champion Affenpinscher, won Best in Show at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Crowd favorite Swagger, a 20-month-old English sheepdog, won runner up even though Westminster was just his fourth dog show. Swagger the sheepdog got the most cheers from the audience, but judge Michael Dougherty picked Banana Joe. Affenpinschers are notable for their monkey-like faces, and Banana Joe is no exception.

There were 2,721 entries in 187 breeds and varieties at the show, including newly added breeds treeing Walker coonhound and Russell terrier. Usually set in tradition, this is the first year the dog show awarded a second place winner and the first time it allowed an "open competition," allowing dogs that were not "champion" status to compete.

Other Best in Show contenders included Jewel, a champion American Foxhound in the hound group; Honor, a 4-year-old grand champion Bichons Frises in the non-sporting group; and Oakley, a grand champion German wirehaired pointer in the sporting group. Matisse, a grand champion Portuguese water dog — the same breed as Bo Obama, the First Dog — won the working group. Adam, a grand champion Smooth Fox terrier won the terrier group, though the newly added Russell Terrier came close.

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