Best in Show winner at 2021 National Dog Show makes history

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Claire is a bone-afide champ.

History was made Thursday at the National Dog Show, the beloved annual event hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia when a Scottish Deerhound named Claire, who also won last year, was named Best in Show.

Claire’s victory marks the first time a dog has won back-to-back in the show’s 20 year history, hosts noted.

She was cheered on by vaccinated spectators — a return toward normal after last year’s scaled-down, fan-less spectacle — as she pranced in a victory lap around the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania. The event was filmed on Nov. 20 and 21 but aired Thursday on NBC.

“She’s a year older and more sure of herself,” her handler Angela Lloyd said.

Part of the Hound group, 4-year-old Claire also earned a $20,000 prize in addition to the glory. Last year, she was the first of her breed ever to fetch the coveted title.

In addition to the two-time victory, the Biewer Terrier made its debut Thursday in the Toy group, stealing the show with cuteness for the milestone year.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the National Dog Show, which has become somewhat of a Thanksgiving Day tradition, airing immediately after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The 2021 event was hosted by John O’Hurley and David Frei, who have both played emcee for the show since it first aired on NBC in 2002.

The Biewer Terrier made its debut at the show.
Bill McCay/NBC
Handler Angela Lloyd celebrates with her winning Scottish Deerhound, Claire.
Handler Angela Lloyd celebrates with her winning Scottish Deerhound, Claire.
Bill McCay/NBC
Two Long Coat Chihuahuas competing.
Two Long Coat Chihuahuas competing.
Bill McCay/NBC
A Komondor, which competed in the Working Group.
A Komondor, which competed in the Working Group.
Bill McCay/NBC
A Toy Poodle held by its owner.
A toy poodle held by its owner.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Borzoi meeting a judge.
The Borzoi meeting a judge.
Bill McCay/NBC

“We estimate that, since then, one-quarter of a billion people have watched,” organizers said in a statement.

“Dogs more than ever have become a part of people’s lives and the show reminds us of how great they are and how easy it is for them to make us smile,” added O’Hurley, best known for playing clothing catalog mogul J. Peterman on “Seinfeld.”

The Soft Coated Wheaten with its owner.
The soft coated wheaten with its owner.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Shetland Sheepdog posing for the cameras.
The Shetland sheepdog posing for the cameras.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Pumi was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 2016.
The Pumi was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 2016.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Puli being judged.
The Puli being judged.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Portuguese Water Dog running with its owner.
The Portuguese Water Dog running with its owner.
Bill McCay/NBC

This year, 209 dog breeds and varieties, all purebreds sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, were split into seven different groups — Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding — to select the winner of the coveted Best in Show title. Last year, only 600 dogs entered — a far cry from the nearly 2,000 that typically compete in the show.

Claire also won the 2020 National Dog Show, notably the first of her breed ever to fetch the coveted title. The Scottish Deerhound beat out seven finalists and a total of 538 entries.

National Dog Show Best In Show Winner, Scottish Deerhound named "Claire."
Claire, a Scottish Deerhound, was also the National Dog Show’s 2020 Best In Show winner.
Bill McCay/NBC
John O'Hurley holding a Biewer Terrier, the newest breed to compete.
John O’Hurley holding a Biewer Terrier, the newest breed to compete.
Simon Bruty
Miniature Poodle competing in the show.
Miniature poodle competing in the show.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Long Haired Dachshund hoping for a win.
The long haired Dachshund hoping for a win.
Bill McCay/NBC
An Italian Greyhound in the judging process.
An Italian greyhound in the judging process.
Bill McCay/NBC

The show, which was founded in 1879, has been held annually since 1933, but NBC’s first broadcast happened less than two decades ago. Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, told The Post in 2013 that Christopher Guest’s beloved 2000 mockumentary “Best in Show” actually inspired him to air the show on a national scale.

“The ratings surprised everyone that first year, and it’s been on the air ever since,” Miller said. He also credits his wife, Janine, as the “genius” who came up with the concept.

An Irish Wolfhound doing a lap with its owner.
An Irish Wolfhound doing a lap with its owner.
Bill McCay/NBC
The Irish Setter making its rounds.
The Irish Setter making its rounds.
Bill McCay/NBC
The ASCOB Cocker Spaniel held by its owner.
The ASCOB cockerspaniel held by its owner.
Bill McCay/NBC
Hosts David Frei and John O'Hurley.
Hosts David Frei and John O’Hurley.
Bill McCay/NBC

“I’m very proud of the fact, after 44 years at NBC, it’s one property that will live far after I am gone,” he added.

Judges select winners by examining the dog and how closely each dog compares with the perfection of the “perfect dog” in the breed’s official standard. Conformation, overall appearance, temperament, structure and movement are all considered, as well as the dog’s ability to “perform the function for which his or her breed was bred.”



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