America's best in show: German shorthaired pointer wins

Handler Valerie Nunez Atkinson poses with CJ, a German Shorthaired Pointer from the Sporting Group, after they won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York on 16 February 2016.Image copyrightReuters
Image captionCJ poses with his handler at the Westminster Kennel Club in New York
A German shorthaired pointer called CJ has won America's most prestigious best in show dog competition in New York.
The three-year-old beat 2,751 other entries of 199 breeds to take the top dog spot at Westminster Kennel Club.
"He has that extra sparkle," his handler, Valerie Nunes-Atkinson said. "He's an old soul."
CJ, also known as California Journey, is a descendent of two other champions and the third German Shorthaired Pointer to win the competition. 
Head judge Dr Richard Meen said CJ had the intelligence and alertness he looked for in a winner.
CJ a German Short Haired Pointer performs on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images
"This is what we go to bed dreaming about," CJ's owner Valerie Nunes-Atkinson said after the win was announced. CJ gets no prize money, but will now embark on a media tour. 
Image copyrightEPA
Lucy, a borzoi, pictured here with her handler, Shota Hirai, was runner-up in the competition.
Lucy, a borzoi, and her handler, Shota Hirai, stand in the ring after winning reserve best in show during the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, on 16 February 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York.Image copyrightAP
CJ also beat this fluffy Samoyed to win the prized silver bowl.
The Samoyed wins the working group on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden on on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images
The Samoyed wins the working group on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images
Rumor, a German shepherd, was ranked the number one dog in the US last year, and has won 101 best in show titles, but she missed the top spot in New York on Tuesday. 
Rumor, a German shepherd, and Kent Boyles take a lap around the ring during the best in show competition at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, on 16 February 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York.Image copyrightAP
This year was the kennel club's 140th Best In Show competition.
A man carries his dog through the grooming area on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show on 16 February 2016 in New York CityImage copyrightGetty Images
Owners often spend hours grooming their pooches. 
An American Cocker Spaniel gets in fur blown by a hair dryer in the grooming area on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images
An American Cocker Spaniel is groomed on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images
...and sometimes the handlers get pampered themselves
A handler gets her hair done before the start of the dog competition on the second day of the 140th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on 16 February 2016 in New York City.Image copyrightGetty Images

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