A new top dog has been crowned! Vito the pug earned the title of Best in Show at the 2024 National Dog Show presented by Purina. This event was broadcast on Thanksgiving Day.
Learn more about Vito and what catapulted this little guy to the winner’s circle.
Vito the Pug Claims Victory
Vito, registered as GCHG Andi in Cahoots, has been a standout pup for quite some time. He has collected a total of 25 Best in Show titles from approximately 75 different dog shows. Most recently, Vito was named Best of Breed at the 2024 Westminster Dog Show. He also received this title at the 2023 American Kennel Club National Show.
Vito is the definition of small but mighty. He rendered the 2024 National Dog Show’s Best In Show judge George Milutinovich, of Fresno, California, nearly speechless. George called Vito “everything a pug should be” after declaring him Best in Show.
“Wow. Just wow,” Milutinovich adds. “Lots of dog in a small package. To look at a pug is to put a smile on your face.”
Vito’s handler, Michael Scott of Chesapeake City, Maryland, knew all along Vito would make a lasting impression on the judges this year.
“I was optimistic,” Scott says. “Vito has a beautiful head and expression. Great outline.”
Vito is the first pug to be named Best in Show at the National Dog Show since the event was first televised in 2002 and is the first toy breed champion since 2017.
All National Dog Show Group Winners
The road to being named Best in Show at the National Dog Show is competitive. Before Vito ultimately won the coveted 2024 title, he had to beat out his pug peers in the Best of Breed round, fellow Toy Group dogs in the First in Group round, and the six other group winners.
Here’s who claimed First in Group across the seven recognized groups.
- Toy – Vito* the pug from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Terrier – Verde** the Welsh terrier from Rialto, California.
- Sporting – Houston, the Clumber spaniel from Keyport, New Jersey.
- Working – Monty the giant schnauzer from Chaplin, Connecticut.
- Hound – The Zit, an Ibizan hound from Spring Hill, Florida.
- Herding – Rupert the Berger Picard from Shingle Springs, California.
- Non-Sporting – JJ the Lhasa apso from Sabot, Virginia.
*Denotes Best in Show
**Denotes Reserve Best in Show (second place)
About the Pug Breed
Pug owners already know pugs are special, but if you’re interested in learning more about these wrinkly sweetie pies, we’ve got you covered.
Pugs are small and compact dogs who are great for first-time pet owners and veteran dog lovers alike, thanks to their friendly and outgoing personalities. They typically weigh under 18 pounds and can live up to 15 years. To learn more about pugs, including how to care for them, check out our dedicated breed profile.
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