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.
