Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeén, is named Best in Show at Westminster Dog Show

Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, has been named best in show at the Westminster Dog Show in New York.

His victory on Tuesday night is special in that it is the first time the little-known breed has ever won the show - the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show - widely regarded to be the most the most prestigious dog show in the US.

Buddy Holly, from Palm Springs, California, won in the Hound group, before going on to win overall. About 2,500 dogs of 210 breeds were vying for the trophy.

His competition for Best in Show were the the dogs that won each of the seven other groups, which are: Non-sporting, Herding, Sporting, Working, and Terrier.

Terriers are historically most likely to win - 45 out of the 103 times that the prize has been awarded since 1907 it went to a dog in that class.

Buddy Holly, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, has been named best in show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Buddy Holly, from Palm Springs, California, won in the Hound group, before going on to win overall. He is the firs of his breed to ever do so

In second place was Rummie, a Pekingese, which was aiming to bring home the third trophy in 11 years for his small breed. The breed was historically bred to be a close companion to Chinese royalty.

It would also have been the third victory for its handler, owner and breeder David Fitzpatrick. He guided Pekes Malachy and Wasabi to Westminster wins in 2012 and 2021 respectively.

Winston the French Bulldog, winner of the Non-sporting group, was gunning for the title after being runner-up last year. 

An Australian Shepherd named Ribbon, an English setter called Cider, a Giant Schnauzer named Monty and an American Staffordshire Terrier called Trouble also were also among the top dogs.

Buddy Holly was given his became because 'he's a buddy', breeder Gavin Robertson explained. He has also lived and competed in the UK, Ireland and Australia.

'I never thought a PBGV would do this,' handler and co-owner Janice Hayes said. 'Buddy Holly is the epitome of a show dog. Nothing bothers him.' 

Rummie, the Pekingese was winner of the Toy group and overall runner-up at the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Finalist Winston the French Bulldog who won in the Non-sporting group looks at his handler during the Westminster Dog Show

Winston is inspected for breed standards before winning the Best in Breed title during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show

Golden Retriever Coco competes in the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It was just one of 51 Retrievers to have competed in the competition

Golden Retriever Coco from the Sporting Group waits her turn to be shown during the 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Hayes said she was proud of the dog before he had even won. 'Whether he won or not, he did exactly as I wanted. We're so proud of him,' she said. 

Although a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, commonly referred to as a PBGV, has never won overall, a dog of that breed has won in the hound category before.

It won from its group once before, in 2007, but breed has not been around for all that long and was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991. 

The PBGV is a French rabbit-hunting hound and is considered to be cheerful, friendly and intelligent. It is one of six types of baset-type breeds.

The final competition, which included a Pekingese, a French bulldog, an Australian shepherd, a giant schnauzer, and an American Staffordshire, was held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens. 

Addie, a Komondor, competes in the Working group

Addie, a Komondor, competes in the working group competition during the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show

Maximillian the Dogue de Bordeaux from the Working Group waits his turn to be shownduring the show on Tuesday

Janice Hayes and Buddy Holly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, winner of the Hound Group, wins Best in Show at the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Besides the chosen finalists, there were other fan favorites too.

Always sure to capture attention are the Komondors, which is covered in huge white dreadlocks. Only two entered this year, Addie and Zsaru.

There was also a bloodhound that bowed deeply before a judge, a golden retriever cheered by the breed's many fans, and the spunky German shorthaired pointer that did a few leaps before its lap around the ring.

Spectators applauded 10-year-old handler Audra Maes and her shiba inu, and breeder, owner and handler Alexandria Mitchell and her Ibizan hound.

They made the judge's first cut, a major accomplishment at a show where many exhibitors handle other people's dogs as a career.