KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pug fans had plenty to be thankful for on Thanksgiving after the toy breed took home Best in Show at the National Dog Show.
The winning pug, Vito, was crowned the best of the best out of roughly 2,000 other dogs at the 92nd annual National Dog Show. It's the first time in more than 20 years that a pug has taken the title and the first time in the National Dog Show's run on NBC since it rebranded in 2002.
Vito's co-owner, Carolyn Koch, said the pup is just 2-and-a-half years old. The two hail from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
"I'm so proud of him," she said in an interview with NBC News.
According to NBC News, Vito has claimed several awards in the past two years. He was named best of breed at both the 2024 Westminster Dog Show and the 2023 AKC National Show.
“Never seen him before. Wow. Just wow. Lots of dog in a small package," best-in-show judge George Milutinovich said. “To look at a pug is to put a smile on your face.”
