German Shepherd Rumor wins Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show

NEW YORK – Just one year after coming so close, one year after she was favored to win, Rumor returned, and captured the highest honor in her sport.

The German shepherd won Best in Show at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, one year after falling short to CJ, a German shorthaired pointer, in the same competition.

Rumor (GCH CH Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn) is a five-and-a-half year old female, hailing from Edgerton, Wis., at Kenlyn Kennels, co-owned by Pamela McElheney and Kent Boyles, who is a breeder, owner, and handler.

“Oh, man it’s unbelievable,” Boyles told reporters in a press conference after the show. “I’m not sure I have the words to describe it. It’s awesome. I don’t think we’re going to get the full gist of the whole experience until time passes by.”

Rumor displayed a large but lean and muscular frame, a rust coat with large swaths of deep black, and a nimble and graceful trot. The capacity crowd here swooned every time Rumor was shown on the Jumbotron, or every time she strolled around the floor.

Thomas H. Bradley III served as the judge and selected the winner from the field of seven contestants from the hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working, and terrier groups. Bradley selected Adrian the Irish setter as the Reserve Best in Show.

Bradley took his time with each breed, asking the handlers to circle the ring three times. He inspected each with his hands, and observed their movements as they strode through the pen.

Photos: German Shepherd Rumor celebrates Best in Show victory

So what was it about Rumor that convinced him she deserved Best in Show?

“Everything,” Bradley told USA TODAY Sports as photographers clicked and snapped away to capture images of Boyles and Rumor on a dais. “The standard of the German shepherd calls for the breed to have quality and nobility. They say it’s a very difficult thing to obtain, but once discovered, it’s undeniable. With this bitch, it was undeniable.”

A total of 2,798 dogs, from 202 eligible breeds entered and competed in this year’s show, which recognizes achievement in exemplary breed standards.

Prior to the Best in Show coronation, Adrian won the sporting group, Devlin the boxer won the working group, and Tanner the Norwich terrier won the terrier group, to claim their spots in the field for Westminster’s top prize.

On Monday evening, Duffy the Norwegian elkhound won the hound group, Chuckie the Pekingese won the toy group, Aftin the miniature poodle won the non-sporting group, and Rumor won the herding group.

“She just has an awesome attitude,” Boyles said. “Really correct, super balanced. There’s a lot of special details about her, but she shows good emotion and she really enjoys showing and has a vivacious personality. The whole thing all together makes for a fun animal to show.”

For most Best in Show winners at Westminster, the victory usually marks the end of their showing careers, as there tends to be great interest and demand in breeding rights. Rumor’s case is no different.

“Babies, I hope,” said Boyles when asked what was next for the German shepherd. “But no, I think this is going to be it for her. This is her official retirement day. She can’t accomplish any more than she has already accomplished. This is definitely the ultimate type of win for her. So it’s pretty awesome. Unfortunately for her, she likes to show, so she’d like to come back.

“But this is it. This is it for sure.”

Photos: 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show