The 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The Best of Breed judging is the preliminary competition. Several dogs of a breed are entered, and a winner that best conforms, or exceeds the written breed standard is chosen. How do they pick one winner out of all those dogs?

Actually, they don't have to. The pick two, and possibly more. The first two are chosen as Best of Breed (overall winner), and Best of Opposite. Chosen after Best of Breed, a top dog is selected out of the opposite gender. If a bitch wins, then a dog is chosen. An Award of Merit may also be given to a dog that proves outstanding, but not better than the two top winners.