Star the Bulldog is the Best in Show Winner at the 2022 AKC National Championship
American Kennel Club
An English bulldog Her family is also her king, and she was the one to rule the red carpet at last month’s 2022 American Kennel Club National Championship presented Royal Canin.
Star—registered name GCHG CH Cherokee Legend Encore—took home the Best in Show honor over more than 5,300 other dogs who entered the conformation show in Orlando, Fla. The competition was held Dec. 17 and 18 The broadcast aired on Sunday afternoon on ABC.
Star, a 3-year-old girl, had already enjoyed a great week. She’d also performed well in several local shows leading to the national championship. However, that didn’t stop her owners from being shocked when Desmond Murphy, Best in Show judge, chose her.
Kevin Mason, one of Mason’s owners, told Daily Paws that it was an “out-of-body” experience. “Did that really happen?”
“I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” says Natalie Mason, another of Star’s owners—who’s married to Kevin. Alaina Moulton is Star’s other owner. Star was bred in Cody Sickle by Sherry Hazelett and Connie Chambers.
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Star was able to beat thousands of dogs to be the winner of the $50,000 prize. After winning her breed, Star won the Non-Sporting Group. Winston was also a winner. French bulldog Who won the National Dog Show During a dominant 2022.
Murphy gave her the nod. Trumpet, The Westminster-winning bloodhound Who’d won The Hound Group? Five other dogs won the Best in Show Ring: Stache the Sealyham Terrier (Terrier Group); Josie Spinone Italiano Clark the Havanese (Toy); Mercedes German shepherd (Herding); Bogart standard schnauzer Who won the Working Group and Reserve Best in Show awards (second place).
Natalie Mason said that Star, along with her handler Dennis O’Connor, seem to be able to switch it on and make it to the Best in Show round. She glides across the floor and is now the centre of attention.
Natalie said, “It almost seems like she knows exactly what she’s supposed do.”
This is also true when she’s home with her family, the Masons in Atlanta suburbs. When she’sn’t pushing her parents’ buttons, she can be found sunbathing or tennis ball-chasing at home with her family. She is still a bulldog.
Kevin tells Kevin, “She owns this house.”
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She’s just like other show dogs and loves snuggling time. The Masons, like all parents, consulted their daughters to name their bulldog. Star was the name of their younger daughter.
Natalie says, “Gosh it couldn’t have been any better for her,”
We—and more than a few dog show judges—would have to agree.