Entertainment News

Flynn the Bichon Frisé wins Best in Show at Westminster

By Wade Sheridan   |   Feb. 13, 2018 at 9:36 AM
Handler Bill McFadden and Best in Show Judge Betty Anne Stenmark stand with Flynn the Bichon Frise after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Best in Show Judge Betty Anne Stenmark holds Flynn the Bichon Frise after Flynn wins Best in Show. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Flynn the Bichon Frise wins Best in Show at Westminster. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Handler Bill McFadden holds Flynn the Bichon Frise after the dog wins Best in Show at Westminster. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Flynn, a 5-year-old Bichon Rrisé, was named Best in Show at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.

"It feels a little unreal," said Bill McFadden, Flynn's handler. "I came in expecting nothing and just hoping for a good performance and I think I got it."

Advertising
Advertising

The win marked the second time a McFadden-trained dog took Best in Show honors.

Flynn's dramatic win came by beating out three other competitors, including Lucy, a borzoi who was named top dog in the Hound group and was the Best in Show runner-up in 2016; a pug named Biggie, who won in the Toy group; and Slick, a Border collie owned by Ricki Johnson, J. Frank Baylis and Ronni Delay, who won in the Herding group.

McFadden said Flynn might retire from the show dog business as a champion.

"I'd have to ask the owners, but I'm pretty sure I can drop the mic and say he's retired," he said.