French Bulldog ‘Winston’ Wins Best in Show at 2022 National Dog Show
What a grand win for “Winston,” a 3-year-old fawn French Bulldog who became the first of his breed to be awarded Best in Show at the 21st annual “National Dog Show Presented by Purina.”
The No. 1 all-breed dog in the country, MBIS/MBISS GCHP Fox Canyon’s I Won The War At Goldshield CGCA CGCU TKN, was handled by breeder-owner Perry Payson of Bixby, Oklahoma. Winston is the 12th consecutive Best in Show winner at the National Dog Show to be fueled by Purina Pro Plan. The record-breaking No. 1 French Bulldog outperformed over 1,700 dogs representing nearly 200 breeds.
Payson has been exhibiting and breeding French Bulldogs for 38 years, the second most popular breed in the U.S., according to the American Kennel Club. Winston’s career highlights include 78 Bests in Show and Reserve Best in Show at Westminster 2022.
“To be in the arena with such an incredible lineup was an honor, then to win in that depth of quality, I was ecstatic,” Payson stated. “Winston gave me everything I asked of him, and the joy he gave the crowd was immeasurable.”
Winston’s success speaks for four generations of co-breeding purposefully bred French Bulldogs in partnership with Sandy Fox. Sandy’s grandson, Morgan Fox, is a defensive end for the LA Chargers and co-owner of Winston, along with Alexandra Vorbeck, Alex Geremia, and Felicia Cashin.
Best in Show judge Mrs. Vicki Seiler-Cushman of Xenia, Ohio, said after the show, “The French Bulldog fit the map of which the breed was designed. He has a beautiful face, excellent movement, and a perfectly rounded loin. He had that razzle dazzle that said, “I’m here to win it tonight!”
The effectiveness of nutrition that performs is validated by Pro Plan’s grand slam as the preferred dog food for all seven of the 2022 National Dog Show Group winners, including Winston, who is fed Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Salmon & Cod Formula dog food. Televised on NBC on Thanksgiving Day, the National Dog Show features celebrity co-hosts David Frei and John O’Hurley, who team up on the broadcast that reaches over 20 million viewers annually. The show is hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia.
In the final lineup sharing the spotlight with Winston are these Pro Plan-fed Group winners:
Reserve Best in Show and Toy Group Winner:
The No. 2 all-breed, No. 1 Toy dog and No. 1 English Toy Spaniel (Blenheim & Prince Charles) all systems, “Cooper” (GCHB CH Ringo Star Ot Nevskogo Hobbita), is a 4-year-old male. The winner of 26 Bests in Show and the 2022 English Toy Spaniel Club of America National Specialty, the lovable dog with a non-stop wagging tail was handled by Chris Keith of Spring, Texas.
Bred by Natalia Sedykh of Russia, you can follow Cooper’s journey using #SuperCooperETS as his owners, Patti and Richard Caldwell, share his campaign. Cooper is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20 Beef & Bison Formula dog food.
Sporting Group Winner:
The No. 1 Sporting Dog and No. 1 Irish Water Spaniel all systems, “Sloane” (MBIS/MBISS GCHS Poole’s Ide Sargeant Sloane CD RN MX MXJ MXF), is handled by Joanne Thibault of Stafford Springs, Connecticut. With over 100 group wins and 24 Bests in Show, this 5-year-old female is more than halfway to earning her Master Agility Champion title. The Grand Victor at the 2022 Irish Water Spaniel Club of America National Specialty is owned by Stephanie O’Reilly and Gregory Siner and bred by Siner and Samuel Jenio. Sloane is fed Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Herding Group Winner:
The No. 1 Herding dog and No. 1 German Shepherd Dog all systems, “River” (MBIS/MBISS GCHP CH Gem-N-I River Of Urloved), is a 5-year-old male handled by Lenny Brown of Jasper, Georgia. A great breed ambassador, River will retire next month after a successful two-year campaign with 35 Bests in Show, 2022 Westminster Herding Group Winner, and overall winner of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty. River was bred by Lee Jewel, B Stamper, and owner Richard Waits. River is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Beef & Rice Formula dog food.
Working Group Winner:
The No. 1 all-breed Alaskan Malamute, “Reus” (MBIS/MBISS GCHS Mlt Ivram The Best Is Yet To Come Brian TT), is handled by Jeri El-Dissi of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Affectionately referred to as “The Italian Stallion,” he is a 6-year-old male bred by Ivan Calleja in Malta. Reus is a conformation champion with multiple Bests in Show in seven countries, and he is owned by Melisa Sage and Emanuele Oliveri. Reus is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Terrier Group Winner:
The No. 1 all-breed American Staffordshire Terrier, “Trouble” (GCHP CH LBK’s Rebel And Proud Party Crasher), is handled by Blair Aguillard of Eunice, Louisiana. Named after the Taylor Swift song, Trouble is a 3-½-yr-old male owned by Luisma and Lacey Benitez, Ion Ispas, and Jessica Branch, and was bred by the Benitez’s and Carly Kramer. Trouble is fed Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Hound Group Winner:
The No. 1 all-breed Treeing Walker Coonhound, “Nate” (MBIS/MRBIS/BISS GCHS Lost Heritage Knight Of Eldorado), is breeder-owner-handled by Cole Vanover of Somerset, Kentucky. The stunning 2-½-yr-old male is the top-winning Treeing Walker Coonhound in breed history and the first to win the Hound group. The winner of 7 Bests in Show, Nate was co-bred by Kristin Lawless and Andrea Carter and is co-owned with Lawless and Sydney Hickman. Nate is fed Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula dog food.
Congratulations to the 2022 National Dog Show Winners!