National Dog Show Winners Through the Years

2021: Claire

A back-to-back champ! On Thanksgiving Day 2021, Scottish Deerhound Claire was crowned the winner for the second year in a row.

Even with her history of success, Claire and Lloyd did not enter the 2021 National Dog Show expecting to take home the event's top honor.

"I was thinking more about keeping her happy, getting a really good performance out of her, and just having a good time," handler Angela Lloyd said in a statement of her approach with Claire to the 2021 show.

"Claire, in her mind, really believes in herself and has a lot of confidence in who she is. And if you looked like her, wouldn't you?" Lloyd said of the Scottish Deerhound's winning edge, adding, "she is just truly at the top of her game."

2020: Claire

Claire the Scottish Deerhound — registered name GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser — earned the title of Best in Show for 2020 after participating in a competition with no spectators, vendors, sponsors or media due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The graceful hound came from a winning lineage. Her grandmother won Best in Show at Westminster in 2011, and her mother was the runner-up, or Reserve Best in Show, of the 2015 National Dog Show.

"Claire has so many wonderful traits," her handler, Angela Lloyd, said in a statement about the pooch's win. "She embodies the same qualities. She is very similar to her grandmother, especially in the eyes."

2019: Thor

Thor the Bulldog, whose registered show name is GCHG Diamond Gold Majesu Pisko Bulls, beat out thousands of other dogs to earn the top prize with help from his handler, Eduardo Paris of Houston, Texas.

"Thor won today because of his structure and because he moves so well. He has been showing since September 2018 and has won 27 specialties since he has been showing," Paris proudly shared at the time.

Before getting his ribbon, Thor won the Non-Sporting Group to make it to the final Best in Show round. Joining him in this prestigious pack was Nick the Siberian Husky, Daniel the Golden Retriever, Blaine the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Sophia the Old English Sheepdog, Bono the Havanese and Maddie the Pharaoh Hound.

2018: Whiskey

The No. 1 hound in the country took home the 2018 title, his 20th Best in Show win in just 18 months. But his owners said Whiskey is more than just a show dog.

"First and foremost, he is our companion and pet — we love him; he sleeps in our bed," Chelsea Smithey told PEOPLE in 2018. "I could show you all of these pictures on my phone of him curled upside down, every which way, hanging off the bed. I mean, he's just a great dog."

2017: Newton

Newton the Brussels Griffon, known in the show circuit as GCH Somerset Wynzall Hashtag, beat out more than 2,000 other dogs for the Best in Show title in 2017, taking the Toy Group before winning the final ribbon. The pair had some sweet victory plans to celebrate.

"I think we're going to get an ice cream," handler Susan Dipew told PEOPLE about Newton's post-win schedule.

2016: Gia

The greyhound earned her 44th Best in Show title at the 2016 National Dog Show in Philadelphia.

"Gia fits the Greyhound standard perfectly and also gives that extra showmanship," offered Best in Show judge James G. Reynolds of Ottawa, Canada. "She has a head like a snake and can really gallop. A lot of Greyhounds don't have that showmanship."

2015: Charlie

Charlie, the spunky Skye terrier — whose formal name is GCH CH Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie — earned the top prize in 2015. The pooch, who walked with handler Larry Cornelius, has nabbed 79 Best in Show titles in his career and had over 200 1st place finishes in the terrier group.

"The moment he entered the ring, I turned to [co-host David Frei] and said, 'Wow..! Heads and tails above the competition," host John O'Hurley recalled of Charlie.

2014: Nathan

After earning the National Dog Show title, Nathan the Bloodhound —named GCH Flessner's International S'Cess — won the title of top-ranked hound in America, as reported by Purina. Nathan remains the No. 1 Bloodhound, No. 1 Hound and No. 10 dog in the country and has earned 22 Best in Show titles and 78 Hound Group Firsts.

2013: Jewel

At the time, Jewel, the young American foxhound, was the first winner in the 12-year history of the National Dog Show to come from the Hound Group. Also named Gch. Kiarry's Pandora's Box, the statuesque female won her group at 2012's National Dog Show and at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February 2013. She is the top-winning American foxhound in the history of the breed, a record formerly held by her grandfather.

2012: Sky

GCH Afterall Painting the Sky (a.k.a. Sky) was named the 2012 Best in Show winner. It marked the first time that the same breed has consecutively won the top spot at a major competition since an English springer spaniel won Westminster in 1971 and 1972.

"Sky is a very beautiful wire fox terrier," handler Gabriel Rangel said post-victory. "She is a natural show dog with a short, well-balanced body. She has a beautiful head and her face is unbelievable."

2011: Eira

One year prior, this lady won the prize. Eira, which means snow in Welsh, bested nearly 1,500 dogs at the 2011 anniversary show. Formally known as Ch. Steele Your Heart, Eira took the top honors in the terrier group. This win marked the dog's 17th Best in Show title.

"She looks beautiful, and she moves beautifully," said handler Rangel. "Eira moves as well as she stacks."

Judge Karen Wilson, who selected the canine, added, "She is a spectacular show dog, the epitome. She has a superior coat."

2010: Clooney

The Irish Setter wasn't only perfect in the ring — he had personality, too.

"He loves the attention; he loves people; he loves being in the ring and being around all the people and everyone fussing over him," said handler Peter Kubacz after Clooney claimed the title of Best in Show in 2010. "He is a great show dog in that regard."

2009: Sadie

The Scottish terrier captured hearts and went on to capture another big title: Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show that following February.

"I'm just very proud of Sadie because she accomplished such a win," Rangel told PEOPLE at the time. "She's such a wonderful show dog, and I was very excited to see her reach that level. It was an overwhelming feeling of happiness."

2008: Holly

During her time as a show dog, this Pointer garnered 10 Best in Show titles in a row, winning a total of 116 Best in Shows, making her the most decorated Sporting Dog in history.

2007: Swizzle

The adorable Australian shepherd earned attention for his unique coat, among other attributes.

2006: Vikki

Vikki the Toy Poodle was an obvious favorite to win in her year, arriving from Japan not long before as the No. 1 toy poodle and winner of several Best in Show titles.

2005: Rufus

In his heyday, Rufus the bull terrier won the National Dog Show, the Morris & Essex Kennel Club Show and Westminster Kennel Club Show. He later became a certified therapy dog and a therapy dog ambassador for the National Dog Show.

2004: Gracie

Gracie the Fox terrier also became a therapy dog upon her exit from the show world, visiting retirement homes to bring smiles to seniors.

2003: Raisin

The big, beautiful Doberman celebrated his win by giving the judges a high paw.

2002: Miki

In the first year the National Dog Show was presented by Purina, the title of Best in Show went to the snow-white standard poodle, Miki.

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