Wire Fox Terrier ‘King’ Is Best in Show Winner of 143rd Westminster Dog Show

With statuesque style and spot-on appeal, a 7-year-old tricolor male Wire Fox Terrier named “King” (GCH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home) took Best in Show honors at the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Handled by terrier pro Gabriel Rangel of Rialto, California, now a three-time winner of the prestigious dog show, King edged through tough competition under iconic terrier judge Peter Green to win.

"We feel honored to be part of King’s legacy. He is truly a magnificent Wire Fox Terrier," said an emotional Rangel, describing the terrier as his best friend. "To win under the most famous terrier man in the world makes this extra special."

The winningest Terrier in the country in 2018, King was in top condition. It was his second time to be shown at Madison Square Garden, having also won the breed in 2018, shortly after starting out on his campaign with Rangel.

"The Wire Fox Terrier is a breed I know really well, and he’s as good as it gets," said Green, himself a four-time Westminster Best in Show handler. "The handler had him in perfect condition."

It was a sweep for Purina Pro Plan as the food is fed to all seven Group winners. The Reserve Best in Show winner was a Havanese named "Bono" (GCH Oeste’s In The Name Of Love) handled by Taffe McFadden of Acampo, California. Nearly 2,800 dogs, including 203 breeds and varieties from all 50 states and several international countries, competed at the show.

Bred by Rony and Dieny de Munter-Uiterwijk of Dendermonde, Belgium, King is owned by Victor Malzoni Jr. of Malibu, California, who recognized the dog’s potential and brought him to the U.S. King is the 15th Wire Fox Terrier to win Best in Show at Westminster, more than any other breed.

Rangel began working with King in late 2017 and campaigned him for a full year in 2018. They took 35 Bests in Show and many Group Firsts. King also won Group Firsts at Crufts and the World Dog Show in Helsinki and in Milan, and took Best in Show twice at the National Terrier Show and European Winner Show. He is the only Wire Fox Terrier in history to win the Wire Fox Terrier Association English Championship Show three times.

Rangel’s previous Westminster winners are “Sky” (GCH Afterall Painting The Sky), a Wire Fox Terrier, who was co-owned by Malzoni, and "Sadie" (CH Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot), a Scottish Terrier.

Malzoni, who plans to retire King to live with him in California, said, "This is a very special win to me, as I am the sole owner on King. The first time I saw him I realized he was a great dog who could win a lot."

Here are the 2019 Westminster winners:

Best in Show and Terrier Group Winner

GCH Kingarthur Van Foliny Home

Call Name: "King"

Breed: Wire Fox Terrier

Breeders: Rony de Munter-Uiterwijk and Dieny de Munter-Uiterwijk

Owner: Victor Malzoni Jr.

Handler: Gabriel Rangel

Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula

Reserve Best in Show and Toy Group Winner

GCH Oeste’s In The Name Of Love

Call Name: "Bono"