The competition was ruff at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, where perfect canines showed off their pageant, poise and form.
But California Journey, CJ for short, a German shorthaired pointer prevailed as winner of the Best in Show award on Tuesday night. He is a 3-year-old male and the third dog of his breed to take the top prize.
The contest is the second-oldest continuous sporting event in the United States after the Kentucky Derby.
Close to 3,000 dogs from around the country compete in the annual show.
This year — the 140th for the show in New York City — it was an even tougher contest, because the club allowed seven new breeds to compete.
Here are additional winners by category:
Best hound: My Sassy Girl, a female borzoi
Best toy: Don’t Stop Believing, a male shih tzu
Best non-sporting: Southern Bell, a female bulldog
Best herding: Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, a female German shepherd
Best sporting: California Journey, a male German shorthaired pointer
Best working: Run Play It Again Ham, a male Samoyed
Best terrier: Good Time Charlie, a male Skye Terrier