The Westminster Kennel Club crowned German shepherd Rumor the dog show's winner Tuesday, a big comeback for the 5-year-old dog that retired after losing at last year's show.
In front of a packed Madison Square Garden crowd in New York City, Rumor scored her 104th career win and became just the second German shepherd to win the Westminster dog show, which was established in 1877.
The dog’s handler and co-owner, Kent Boyles, referred to Rumor’s performance as “unbelievable,” The Associated Press reported.
The 5-year-old dog triumphed over a Norwegian elkhound, a Pekingese, a miniature poodle, an Irish setter, a boxer, and a Norwich terrier in the final stage of the competition.
“The German shepherd standard talks about quality and nobility,” judge Thomas Bradley III said, the AP reported. “When you recognize it, it hits you at home, and that’s what it really is. She is just magnificent.”
Rumor — who got her name from Adele's 2011 hit "Rumor Has It" — entered last year’s competition as the nation’s No. 1 show dog, but wasn’t able to walk away with the crown.
Many thought that would be Rumor’s last competition, but she made her return in January.
Despite the great comeback, Boyles said this is definitely the last time Rumor will compete in a big show.
“She’s going to be relaxing for a while,” Boyles said, the AP reported.
There were nearly 2,800 dogs in the Westminster competition.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.