“Miuccia performed her best. I felt her very relaxed on the leash,” her owner Giovanni Liguori said.
Italian Whippet Miuccia Triumphs at Crufts, Making History
With a graceful yet confident stride, Miuccia, an Italian whippet, outshone over 18,000 dogs to secure the coveted Best in Show title at the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England, on Sunday.
The 4-year-old from Venice made history as the first Italian dog to win the prestigious title in the event’s century-long history.
Unlike some of her more energetic competitors, Miuccia maintained a calm demeanor as she stood beside the towering silver trophy, which was nearly her height, alongside her handler, Giovanni Liguori.
“This is a dream come true. I’m completely overwhelmed,” Liguori said, visibly moved. “Miuccia performed brilliantly. She was so relaxed on the leash.”
“We Italians are extremely proud; it shows we’re doing a great job,” he added.
Crufts, founded in 1891 as a promotional event for a dog biscuit brand, has since grown into one of the largest and most prestigious dog shows globally, attracting thousands of dogs and handlers each year.
Over the span of four days, the dogs are judged based on how closely they align with the breed standards through various events. The best dog from each breed then competes for the Best in Group title, with the seven group winners advancing to compete for the ultimate honor.
Miuccia claimed victory by defeating several strong contenders, including Ana, a Jack Russell terrier; Liza, the miniature schnauzer; Viking, the Tibetan mastiff; Shake, the Australian shepherd; Sophia, the papillon; and Suzie, the cocker spaniel.
Her win, however, stirred some controversy.
Following the announcement, some fans of Ana, the Jack Russell, expressed disappointment on Instagram, claiming that Ana had been “robbed” of the top prize.
On the other hand, Miuccia’s supporters were quick to praise her.
“That dog was perfection. Almost too good to be true—absolutely stunning, so well-deserved. She stood and walked flawlessly,” wrote Liane Pendlebury on Instagram.