Wasabi the Pekingese wins Westminster dog show

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — The flavour of the year at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show: Wasabi.

A Pekingese named Wasabi won best in show Sunday night, notching a fifth win for the unmistakable toy breed. A whippet named Bourbon repeated as runner-up.

Waddling through a smallbut-mighty turn in the ring, Wasabi nabbed U.S. dogdom’s most prestigious prize after winning the big American Kennel Club National Championship in 2019.

“He has showmanship. He fits the breed standard. He has that little extra something, that sparkle, that sets a dog apart,” said Wasabi’s handler, breeder and co-owner, David Fitzpatrick.

Show judge Patricia Trotter said simply: “What’s not to like about this dog? ... He stood there as though he was a lion.”