After a four-year absence, the Westminster Dog Show is back at its longtime home, Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, for its 149 th edition. The three-day competition involving more than 2,500 dogs from every state in the union culminates Tuesday night with the Best in Show event at the so-called world’s most famous arena,

Katie Bernardin, right, and Monty, a Giant Schnauzer, celebrate after winning best in show in the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in New York. [Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo]

This time, the giant schnauzer went the full Monty. After coming close in the last two years, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night, leaving handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin almost too emotional to speak.