While it’s impossible to pick the best dog in America, the Westminster Kennel Club still tries to do it every year. This year, it has actually nailed an undeniable winner, however, with Wasabi the Pekingese. Certainly in terms of majestic hair and grooming, anyway.
The Westminster Kennel Club held its 145th dog show in Tarrytown, New York, this year; the first time since the dog show began in 1877. More than 2,500 dogs from over 200 breeds participated in the event. Wasabi, with his gorgeous locks, beat them all.
“First of all, he fits the standard, second of all, he’s got the charisma and the showmanship that you like to have… and he’s in his prime and he just looks wonderful,” David Fitzpatrick, Wasabi’s owner, told a Fox Sports correspondent during his first victory speech. Wasabi also won the title for best toy dog before going on to earn Best in Show, and Fitzpatrick outlined exactly why that was the case.
Those sweet words pale in comparison to seeing Wasabi’s true fluffiness, which obviously astounds. It’s hard to put into words just how flowing and luxurious his follicles are, but suffice to say, the fluffball looks like the result of a scientist who used CRISPR to splice a Porg and Farrah Fawcett. Or perhaps Chewbacca with some kind of extra-large rodent.
Incredibly—or perhaps not, we’re not sure—this is only the fifth time a Pekingese has won Best in Show. Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, is a true veteran. The handler says he’s taken home more than 18 Best in Show titles in the US, and even more in other countries. Although that makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Of course Wasabi’s owner would know how to keep things spicy over the years.
