Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMonty, a Giant Schnauzer from Ocean City, New Jersey, won Best in Show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 11, 2025. His victory at Madison Square Garden made him the first Giant Schnauzer ever to take Westminster’s top prize, according to the American Kennel Club.
Monty’s Westminster win
Monty’s registered name is GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB. He is a male Giant Schnauzer, born on October 31, 2019, and was shown by handler Katherine “Katie” Bernardin. The Westminster Kennel Club’s winner profile lists his official details.
In the final Best in Show competition, Monty faced the six other dogs that had won their respective breed groups. Judge Paula Nykiel of Washington, Missouri, selected him as the winner from a field of more than 2,500 conformation entries, as The Associated Press reported.
Monty is owned by Sandra Nordstrom, Katherine Bernardin, and Cherlann Ambrose, who also bred him. His AKC registration number is WS 66383402.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-SIDED DESIGN: Our Undercoat Rake Dog brush is perfect for deshedding your pet's coat. Designed with a dual-sided design, start with a 9-teeth side to tackle stubborn mats and tangles, and finish with a 17-teeth side to thin out and deshed after.
- HEALTHY COAT AND REDUCED SHEDDING: Our deshedding brush for dogs is designed with sharpened but finely rounded teeth that allow you to easily and safely remove mats, tangles, knots, and loose hair without irritation or scratching.
- EFFECTIVE DESHEDDING TOOL: This dematting and deshedding brush gently removes loose hair and eliminates tangles, knots, dander, and trapped dirt. The perfect cat grooming tool solution for pets with thick fur or dense double coats.
- COMFORTABLE TO USE: Keep your pet clean and healthy with our dog and cat brush for grooming. Designed with a lightweight, comfortable handle and a non-slip rubber base to keep the brush from moving around as you brush your pet.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR PET LOVERS: Our dog comb brush is a must-have grooming products for dogs and cats. A great gift undercoat rake dog for pet lovers who want to keep their fur buddies clean, healthy, and well-groomed!
A first for the Giant Schnauzer
The win was a milestone for Monty’s breed. No Giant Schnauzer had previously won Best in Show at Westminster, according to the AKC’s coverage of the event.
The breed had come close before: a Giant Schnauzer won Reserve Best in Show in 2018. Monty’s 2025 result went one step further, giving the breed its first Westminster championship at the show’s highest level.
This distinction applies to Best in Show—not to the Working Group. Giant Schnauzers had already won the Working Group several times before Monty’s historic final-round victory.
Rank #2
- SAVE MONEY: Reduce expensive trips to the groomer. Our dog shedding brush works great as a dog brush for short haired dogs & dog brush for long haired dogs. It is an absolute essential for pet supplies, dog supplies, and a dog grooming kit.
- ALL HAIR & FUR TYPES: Our dog brushes for grooming safely removes loose hair without irritation. SleekEZ dog hair brush works great as a pet hair remover / dog hair remover for pets of all fur types and hair lengths.
- EASY AND FAST CLEANUP: SleekEZ also works great as a carpet rake, pet hair rake, & dog fur remover tool. It removes hair & fur from couches, cars, blankets, beds & more! Its innovative design ensures that hair is easily gathered and removed.
- PAINLESS AND ENJOYABLE: SleekEZ's patented design helps grab at the tips of the hair to extract from the skin without painful tugging. It is the perfect undercoat brush for dogs and deshedding dog brush. Works on all coat types and animal breeds!
- GREAT GIFT: A must have metal dog comb for any pet grooming kit. The perfect pet grooming metal comb for dogs & dog deshedding brush. Worlds best grooming brushes / dog grooming brush. Voted #1 dog brushes for shedding & deshedder brush for dogs.
Monty had been a Westminster finalist before
Monty was not an unexpected name in the 2025 final. He had won the Working Group at Westminster in both 2023 and 2024, reaching the final seven on each occasion.
He also won the 2024 AKC National Championship before returning to Westminster in 2025. That record established him as one of the leading dogs in the show ring before he finally captured the Westminster title.
Who was Reserve Best in Show?
The Reserve Best in Show award went to Bourbon, formally named GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon. Bourbon is a Whippet handled by Chelsie Pickett Smithey, according to the AKC.
Rank #3
- 【Easy Desheding】: Swihauk self cleaning dog brush for long haired dogs with release bottom helps effortlessly reduce shedding. A must have dog brush for short haired dogs, cat brush for indoor cats, cat brush for shedding, slicker brush for dogs.
- 【Safe Design】: Soft and protective plastic round head bristles creating a comfortable feeling while deshedding without hurting your pet. Ideal puppy brush for small dogs, dog brush for shedding and grooming.
- 【Sturdy & Durable】: Premium stainless steel metal and compact design make our product sturdy and durable for long term use.
- 【Ergonomic Design】: Press bottom for easy cleaning, high-quality & lightweight TPR handle make your grooming effortlessly.
- 【Effective to Remove Loose Fur】: Swihauk pet grooming brush is effective to remove loose fur, suitable for dogs, cat with long and short hair, perfect for your lovely pet like puppies, golden retriever, rabbit, kitten, bunny, yokie and more.
Monty and Bourbon represented different strengths in the final lineup, but Monty received the judge’s top selection and became the 2025 Westminster champion.
What does Best in Show mean?
Westminster is a conformation show. Judges evaluate how closely each dog matches the official standard for its breed, including structure, movement, proportions, coat, and overall presentation.
Dogs first compete within their breeds. The winners then advance through group judging, with the group winners meeting in the Best in Show ring. Monty first won the Working Group before defeating the other six group winners in the final.
Rank #4
- 【Professional Pet Grooming Kit 】3 Pet grooming tools selected by pet lovers, which can meet daily all the grooming needs of pets. Let you, as the groomer, personally give your furry friend a shiny and healthy coat. This is a must-have beauty product set for pet lovers! The Best Dog Gifts - Merry Christmas
- 【Why Choose Augwind 3PCS ?】 Augwind Pet Grooming Rake makes it easy to remove stubborn, tangled hair. Augwind Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush quickly removes loose hair, dander, and residual dirt. Augwind Flea Comb effectively remove small objects and Dandruff Flakes. Our 3-in-1 Pet Grooming Kit handles all your needs: detangling, hair removal and removes fleas and ticks – The Ultimate Pet Essentials
- 【Dematting and Deshedding Tools】 Augwind Pet Grooming Rake features a double-sided design: The 9-tooth bristle side detangles stubborn knots and mats. The 17-tooth bristle side trims excess pet hair. Augwind self-cleaning dog brush includes a push-button retractable mechanism – simply retract the bristles after use to remove loose hair quickly and effortlessly
- 【Flea Comb】Use this fine-toothed lice comb regularly to effectively remove small debris and dandruff, help keep away fleas and ticks, and maintain your pet’s coat tidy and healthy
- 【2-Year Warranty】We are a professional pet products company, committed to bringing the safest, practical and affordable pet products to pets and owners. We promise to solve it for you at any time if there is any quality within 2 years. We provide 7*24 hours after-sales service, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us
The award recognizes a dog’s conformation and performance in the ring. It is not a general ranking of the friendliest, smartest, healthiest, or most suitable pet dogs. A Westminster winner can be an outstanding example of its breed without being the right match for every household.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.About Giant Schnauzers
Giant Schnauzers are large, powerful working dogs known for their distinctive bearded faces and dense, wiry coats. They were developed as working and guarding dogs, and they typically need structured training, regular activity, and plenty of mental engagement.
Monty’s victory may bring extra attention to the breed, but prospective owners should look beyond a famous show dog. Giant Schnauzers are not a low-maintenance choice: their size, energy, grooming needs, and strong working instincts require a committed home.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- 【Easy Dematting and Deshedding Tools】: Our Grooming brush and comb combo help effortlessly dematting and reduces shedding. A must have dog brush for shedding, pet supplies, cat supplies, dog supplies metal comb for dogs shedding.
- 【Safe Design】: Soft and protective edge brush and comb creating a comfortable feeling while detangling matted hair and deshedding without hurting your pet. Perfect metal comb for dogs, dematting comb for cats, undercoat rake for dogs double coat.
- 【2-in-1 Rake】: Our undercoat rake is perfect for medium and long-haired dogs and cats and other double coat pets. Wide side for easy dematting, dense side for deshedding. Well made deshedding tool, grooming brush and deshedder brush for dogs.
- 【2-in-1 Comb】: Wide sided for comb knot, smoothing and modeling your pet's hair, dense side for removal of loosen hair, you can use it on the legs, head or tail of your pets where the brush can’t. Perfect metal comb for dogs, dematting comb for cats deshedding tool for dogs.
- 【Sturdy and Comfortable Design】: Premium Stainless steel metal teeth and compact design make our product sturdy and durable. High-quality & lightweight TPR handle make your grooming effortlessly. High-quality undercoat rake for dogs double coat, metal comb for dogs, dematting comb for cats, dog comb for matted hair.
Monty’s official Westminster details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Call name | Monty |
| Registered name | GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB |
| Breed | Giant Schnauzer |
| Sex | Male |
| Birth date | October 31, 2019 |
| Breeder | Cherlann Ambrose |
| Owners | Sandra Nordstrom, Katherine Bernardin, and Cherlann Ambrose |
| Handler | Katherine “Katie” Bernardin |
| Residence | Ocean City, New Jersey |
| AKC number | WS 66383402 |
| 2025 result | Best in Show |
Monty’s win belongs to the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He should not be described as the current Westminster champion after the 2026 event, when Penny, a Doberman Pinscher, won Best in Show at the 150th show.
FAQ
What breed was Monty, the 2025 Westminster winner?
Monty was a male Giant Schnauzer. His registered name is GCHG CH Hearthmore’s Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB.
Who handled Monty at Westminster in 2025?
Katherine Bernardin, also referred to as Katie Bernardin in some coverage, handled Monty in the Best in Show competition.
Was Monty the first Giant Schnauzer to win Westminster Best in Show?
Yes. Monty was the first Giant Schnauzer ever to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Who won Reserve Best in Show in 2025?
Bourbon, formally GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon, won Reserve Best in Show. Bourbon is a Whippet handled by Chelsie Pickett Smithey.
The Bottom Line
Monty’s 2025 Westminster victory was a genuine breed milestone: the Giant Schnauzer became a Best in Show winner for the first time. His win followed two Working Group victories at Westminster and his 2024 AKC National Championship, making it the latest achievement in an already notable show career.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
