Meet 2018’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Champion, Flynn

The annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concluded on February 13, and the adorable 5-year-old bichon frisé named Flynn scored first place in it. Bill McFadden, Flynn’s handler, had shown off the breed at the program since 1991.

MEET THE 2018 WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW WINNER, FLYNN

In preparing Flynn for the show, Taffe McFadden, Bill’s wife, explained how you “bathe him and dry him and then trim him, then re-trim him at the show, then trim him again when he wins. And then you just keep trimming him.” A plethora of hair products were used in prepping the white-furred dog for his big day, with Taffe adding, “You use a little bit of everything. It’s a beauty show.”

Betty-Anne Stenmark, an experienced judge and dog breeder, selected the winner. Bill, who “came in expecting nothing and just hoping for a good performance,” admitted Flynn’s victory “feels a little unreal.” However, he added how, although this does need to be confirmed with Flynn’s owners, he expects Flynn to enter retirement. The adorable, fluffy dog will turn 6 in March.

In total, there were “2,882 canine competitors representing 202 breeds and varieties” enrolled in the contest. Flynn’s greatest competitors were Bean the Sussex spaniel, Biggie the pug, Lucy the borzoi, Slick the border collie, Ty the giant schnauzer and the Norfolk terrier Winston. Ty won second place.