Whippet Good – Meet the Champion of Crufts Dog Show
What an exciting time to be a Whippet. Just last month, at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 9-year-old female Whippet GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon, better known simply as ‘Bourbon’, took top honors among the 35 dogs entered in the Hound Group.1 Following this achievement, she went on to be awarded Reserve Best in Show, just missing out on the top spot that went to a Giant Schnauzer named Monty.
Less than one month later, another Whippet named Miuccia has beaten over 18,000 canine entrants to take home the crown – and a very impressive trophy – after winning Best in Show at the prestigious UK’s Kennel Club Dog Show, Crufts, on March 9th, 2025.
Miuccia (Ch/Int/Multi Ch Una Donna Che Conta), the 4-year-old female Whippet from Venice, Italy, is the fourth of her breed to take out the top prize at Crufts since the very first Best in Show champion, a Greyhound named Primley Sceptre, was crowned in 1928. Judges were not only impressed by Miuccia’s form and temperament, but by the strong relationship between her and her handler, Giovanni Liguori.
Why Is This Wonderful?
In recent times, breeds like the Pug, French Bulldog, Dachshund, Chihuahua, and Bulldog have experienced a steady rise in popularity, and although these dogs are undeniably adorable, loving, and fun to be around, their anatomy puts them low on the list of healthy breeds. By contrast, the Whippet may be of middling popularity but boasts good conformation, a fit and healthy disposition, and a quiet, friendly temperament. It is refreshing, therefore, to see judges looking beyond the weird and wonderful features that so many dog owners find appealing and recognize a breed that is well-proportioned, functional, and still represents the traditional canine form.
