Editorial: February 28, 2025

It is indeed an honor and privilege for Dog News to partner with Purina Pro Plan in hosting the Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Awards Dinner. One of the city’s most majestic venues, Gotham Hall, the 100-year-old former converted Greenwich Savings Bank building, was the backdrop to a fabulous black-tie event to honor those dogs and individuals for their outstanding performances of last year. While the cold snow fell outdoors, the warmth and love in the room was palpable. Once again, the hosting responsibilities were handled expertly by now veterans Sheila Ward and Bill McFadden. This year’s entertainment was the multiple Tony Award nominee and winner Lillias White. A fabulous singer with a big voice that filled the room, she is presently appearing in the musical Hadestown, which has received eight Tony awards. All 360 guests gathered to applaud the seven top-winning dogs from each variety group in 2024. Each speaker representing the assembled breeders, owners and handler spoke eloquently about our community — which, while competitive, is a family — and the hard teamwork it takes to get to these heady heights of success, and of course to thank the dogs that put them on that stage. In addition to the conformation winners, there are the Top 100 dogs in the country: All those awards are based on the Dog News Top Ten rating system. We also honored the top obedience, agility and rally winners. A very humble and sincere junior, Lila Holberg, who was a repeat winner, thanked the mentors who have helped her through these formative years. There was a special appreciation given to Dr. Trenton Diggs, chosen as the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club veterinarian of the year. Then the presentations moved on to those categories that were voted for online. In the six categories that were voted on, all the nominees have been outstanding in their respective fields of expertise. Of the three nominees in each category, the winners were Breeders of the Year Colton and Heather Johnson, Professional Handler of Year Diego Garcia, Judge of the Year Desi Murphy, and Owner-Handler of the Year Kerrie Kuper. The Cluster Dog Show of the Year was the Indy Winter Classic. The Specialty Show of the Year was the Newfoundland Club of America. The last award of the evening was the induction to the newest member of the Anne Rogers Clark Hall of Fame. This year, instead of an individual, it was the AKC Museum of the Dog, honoring all the hard-working and creative people involved in bringing us a museum dedicated to honoring man’s best friend. All and all, it was another grand evening, and I know the folks at Purina Pro Plan thank you all for joining us and look forward to next year.