Sage the miniature poodle wins Best in Show at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Darryl Coote
·2 min read
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Sage the miniature poodle wins Best in Show at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Its handler, Kaz Hosaka, waves to the crowd in what is to be his final show. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Sage the miniature poodle wins Best in Show at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Its handler, Kaz Hosaka, waves to the crowd in what is to be his final show. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

May 15 (UPI) -- Sage, a female miniature poodle, was named Best in Show at the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday night in New York City.

The 4-year-old pooch beat out six other group winners to take the top prize in the iconic dog competition held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis.

Sage's handler, Kaz Hosaka, was competing in his 45th and final show.

Handler Kaz Hosaka holds Sage the miniature poodle with the championship trophy after winning Best in Show at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Handler Kaz Hosaka holds Sage the miniature poodle with the championship trophy after winning Best in Show at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

More than 2,500 top-ranked dogs in 200 club-recognized breeds participated in the prestigious competition that began Saturday, according to a statement from the dog show.

Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Mercedes, a 4-year-old female German shepherd.

Dogs compete in the Terrier Group at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Dogs compete in the Terrier Group at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Last year, the top prize went to Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendeen.

The annual dog show was established in 1877, making it the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby.

Graham the airedale terrier waits to compete with other dogs in the Terrier Group at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Graham the airedale terrier waits to compete with other dogs in the Terrier Group at the 148th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI