Meet the Dogs

VetStreet.com: 2011 National Dog Show Group Winners and Best in Show

The competition was fierce, as always, but these seven dogs had what it took to win each of their groups and go on to compete for Best in Show at the 2011 National Dog Show. Learn all about these beautiful breeds and see which of the seven was crowned Best in Show at the annual The National Dog Show presented by Purina.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

More from this Slideshow

0 of 0

Meet the Dogs

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Hound Group Winn...

Joplin, Mo., native Chanel the Whippet took first place in the Hound Group.

Fun Fact: Whippets were introduced to America by English mill workers who settled in Massachusetts and eventually turned the state into a mecca for Whippet racing.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Herding Group Wi...

Winner of the Herding Group was Reckon, an Australian Shepherd from Kensington, New Hampshire.

Fun Fact: The Australian Shepherd is not from Australia and was, in fact, developed by Basque shepherds right here in the USA.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Non-Sporting Gro...

This year's Non-Sporting Group winner was Ian, a Dalmatian from Laguna Beach, California.

Fun Fact: Dalmatian puppies are born white and develop their spots as they mature.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Sporting Group W...

Zelda, an English Springer Spaniel from Sherman, Conn., won the Sporting Group.

Fun Fact: English Springer Spaniels are bred either as hunting dogs or show dogs -- but never as both.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Terrier Group Wi...

Eira, a Wire Fox Terrier from Rialto, Calif., won the Terrier Group.

Fun Fact: The Fox Terrier’s original purpose was to ride shotgun in a saddlebag as hunters rode to hounds. When the fox was run to ground, the Fox Terriers were released to rout him out.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Toy Group Winner...

Joey, an Affenpinscher from Seekonk, Mass., won the Toy Group for the second straight year.

Fun Fact: At some point in the 18th or early 19th century, someone had the bright idea of breeding the Affenpinscher down in size, allowing them to move up in the world by becoming companions to ladies.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Working Group Wi...

Tanner, a Bernese Mountain Dog from Hanover, Penn., took Working Group honors.

Fun Fact: He’s not a Bernice Mountain Dog or a Burmese Mountain Dog. He takes his name from the Swiss canton of Bern, where he was a valued farm dog who excelled at pulling carts, driving livestock to fields or market, and serving as watchdogs.

(Credit: See Spot Run Photography)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Best in Show Win...

Drum Roll Please - The National Dog Show Presented by Purina has crowned its winner, and the 2011 Best in Show title goes to Eira, a Wire Fox Terrier from Rialto, Calif., who is registered as Ch Steele Your Heart. She outperformed nearly 1,500 dogs. At 4 years old, Eira already has quite a bit of experience in the ring. In fact, this marked her 17th Best in Show.

(Credit: Dawn Walsh for Vetstreet)

See More from VetStreet.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

6 New Breeds De... The annual National Dog Show introduces the Cesky Terrier, Xoloitzcuintli and four others.

See photos of the six breeds.

(Credit: Courtesy of National Dog Show)