historical records / conformation records

Group Records

HOUND GROUP

DATE 1ST ENTERED

This date is determined by Westminster Kennel Club records and is somewhat arbitrary. It does not necessarily correspond with official recognition by the AKC nor with its standing as a separate breed or variety at Westminster. Rather it is usually when that breed is first named as such in the catalog and show records.

If the breed was shown somewhat consistently in the Miscellaneous Class before 1924, that goes to establish the “Date 1st Entered.” If shown in Miscellaneous Class in 1924 or after, it is noted but did not count until regular status is granted and the breed winner is eligible for Group and BIS competition. See Miscellaneous Breeds section.

BIS & GROUP PLACEMENTS

Best In Show has been awarded since 1907 (except for 1923) and Group competition has been held since 1924.

The column headings in each chart represent the number of Best In Show Awards and Group placements in each position. The year in parentheses in the “BIS” and “1” column represents the last year that this breed won BIS and the last year that it won the Group; the number in parentheses in one of the other columns represents the last year that the breed placed in the Group; if there is a year only in the “1” Group column, that means that the last time that the breed placed in the Group, it won the group. For example, a Pointer has won 3 BIS (the most recent in 1986), 14 Group 1 (most recent in 1989, 4 Group 2, 7 Group 3, and 5 Group 4 awards. The last time it placed in the Group was in 1998 with a Group 4.

AKC REGISTRATION

The 1888 Catalog is the first in which AKC Rules are included (adopted Dec 6, 1887). From Rule 2: “Every dog entered at any show held under these rules … must be registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. In case a dog has not been registered previous to date of entry, owner must fill out a registration blank and forward same, with fee of 50 cents, together with show entry to the Secretary of the Show, who shall mark the dog as registered and forward blank with registration fee to the Secretary of the American Kennel Club (The above to take effect January 1st, 1888).”

RECORDS

Best In Show wins – 6

Most recent: Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (2023)

Most Group wins – 13

Greyhound

Most consecutive Group wins – 7

Greyhound (1931-1937)

Most Group placements – 41(2023)

Afghan Hound

Most consecutive Group placements – 11

Greyhound (1930-1940)

Current streak of Group placements – 4

Whippet (2018-2021)

PLACEMENTS

Year in parentheses indicates the most recent year of the award.

BREED1st year
entered
BISGrp 1stGrp 2ndGrp 3rdGrp 4th
Afghan Hound19272 (1983)1213 (2023)7 (2020)9 (2003)
American English Coonhound201200000
American Foxhound187702 (2013)13 (2017)2
Azawakh202000000
Basenji194601 (1972)505 (2019)
Basset Hound188403 (2000)7 (2017)33
Beagle, 13 In.18770026 (2019)6
Beagle, 15 In.
Hound
Sporting
Totals
18772 (2015)
0
2
4
1
5
9
0
9
3
2
5
4 (2016)
1
5
Black and Tan Coonhound194700002 (2015)
Bloodhound18781 (2022)85 (2018)45
Bluetick Coonhound2011001 (2021)00
Borzoi189105 (2018)5 (2022)9 (2023)4
Cirneco dell’Etna201600000
Dachshund (Longhaired)193102 (2019)7 (2008)61
Dachshund (Smooth)
Hound
Working Group
Totals
18770
0
0
5 (1969)
0
5
3 (1983)
0
3
9
1 (1926)
10
5
0
5
Dachshund (Wirehaired)193003 (2012)117 (2009)
English Foxhound189101 (1984)001 (2023)
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen201900000
Greyhound
Hound
Sporting
Totals
18770
0
0
13 (1980)
0
13
3 (2010)
1
4
7
0
7
2
1 (1926)
3
Harrier187700133 (2022)
Ibizan Hound198002 (2004)000
Irish Wolfhound
Hound
Sporting
Totals
18790
0
0
2 (1985)
0
2
1 (2009)
0
1
3
0
3
8 (2014)
1 (1927)
9
Norwegian Elkhound1925012 (2017)38 (2022)4
Otterhound19090024 (2015)3
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen19921 (2023)2 (2023)63 (2013)3
Pharaoh Hound198500000
Plott200800000
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno201400000
Redbone Coonhound20110001 (2021)0
Rhodesian Ridgeback195701 (2002)1 (2004)12
Saluki192805 (1999)67 (2016)5 (2020)
Sloughi201700000
Scottish Deerhound18771 (2011)4 (2011)2 (2020)2 (2010)0
Treeing Walker Coonhound201300000
Whippet
Hound
Sporting
Totals
18931 (1964)
0
1
7 (2021)
0
7
11 (2019)
0
11
4
1 (1925)
5
10 (2018)
0
10

NOTES:

  • The Hound Group was held for the first time at Westminster in 1930. It was made up of some breeds formerly in the Sporting Group (Afghan, Basset, Bloodhound, Beagle, American Foxhound, English Foxhounds, Greyhound, Harrier, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Otterhound, Russian Wolfhound, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet) and one breed from the Working Group (Dachshund).
  • The differentiation of Beagles Over 13″ and Beagles 15″ and Under first appears in the Westminster catalog in 1893. Both Varieties competed together, and when Group competition began in 1924, only one Beagle advanced to the Sporting Group as Best of Breed in 1924-1929, and to the Hound Group in 1930-1942. Beginning in 1943, each dog selected as Best of Variety advanced to the Hound Group.
  • The Borzoi was known as the Russian Wolfhound through 1936.
  • The mention of Wirehaired Dachshund first appears in the Westminster catalog in 1930, the first mention of Longhaired Dachshund in 1931. All three Varieties of Dachshund competed together, and one Dachshund advanced to the Sporting Group in 1924-1929, and to the Hound Group in 1930-1942. As of 1943, each dog selected as Best of Variety advances to the Hound Group.
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