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"
Breed: Havanese
Breeder-Owners: Mary E. King, Rafe H. Schindler, Julie Vogel, and Taffe McFadden
Handler: Taffe McFadden
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula
Working Group Winner
GCH Cinnibon’s Bedrock Bombshell
Call Name: "Wilma"
Breed: Boxer
Breeders: Bonnie Wagaman and Nicole Manna
Owners: Keith and Cheryl Robbins, Bonnie Wagaman, and Debbie Caywood
Handler: Michael Shepherd
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
Sporting Group Winner
GCH Kamand’s Full Of Beans @ Erinhill
Call Name: "Bean"
Breed: Sussex Spaniel
Breeder-Owners: Karen Ann Toner and Amanda W. Toner
Handler: Per Ingar Rismyhr
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula
Hound Group Winner
GCH Walmar-Solo’s OMG SL JE
Call Name: "Burns"
Breed: Longhaired Dachshund
Breeders: Kim Vidrine, Paula Carter, and Wally and Mary Jones
Owners: Theresa Nesbitt, Kim Vidrine, Jeane Haverick, Audrey White, and Patricia Grant
Handler: Carlos Puig
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan SPORT 30/20 Performance Salmon & Rice Formula
Toy Group
GCH Oeste’s In The Name Of Love
Call Name: "Bono"
Breed: Havanese
Breeder-Owners: Mary E. King, Rafe H. Schindler, Julie Vogel, and Taffe McFadden
Handler: Taffe McFadden
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Salmon & Rice Formula
Non-Sporting Group
GCH Rivendel’s Barefoot Bandit
Call Name: "Colton"
Breed: Schipperke
Breeders: Amy and Laura Halterman
Owners: Sandra Middlebrooks, William and Tina Truesdale, and Amy Halterman
Handler: Christa Cook
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
Herding Group
GCH Quiche's Major League
Call Name: "Baby Lars"
Breed: Bouvier des Flandres
Breeders: Elaine and Louise Paquette,
Owners: Julianna Garrison, Elaine and Louise Paquette
Handler: Elaine Paquette
Food Fed: Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula