“Trumpet” the Bloodhound became the first ever hound to win ‘Best in Show’ at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held June 22, 2022. Trumpet caught the eyes of the judges against 3,500 different dogs and 200 different breeds.

“There were seven beautiful dogs in that ring. You know, I feel like sometimes a Bloodhound might be a little bit of an underdog. So I was absolutely thrilled,” exclaimed Trumpets handler Heather Buehner. 

The odds were certainly not in Trumpet’s favor. Bloodhounds have been competing in the show since the 1870s and had never won. He was also a dog with little experience, as his first ever dog show was just months before in January. 

“I was shocked,” said Buehner. 

Trumpet is four and a half years-old from St. Joseph, IL.  Some of his distinguishing features are his slobbery and floppy jowls, deep folds and long sagging ears.  Bloodhounds can reach up to around 100 pounds and 27 inches tall.

“That dog has a lot of loose skin. I don’t know how it won, but he did a good job,” said junior and spectator of the show Eric Rebert.

The audience erupted with screams and clapping after he was announced victorious. Cameras and eyes focused on him, as he sat behind a silver cup and ribbons. This victory didn’t just celebrate Trumpet and his family though. The whole Bloodhound community was finally receiving recognition in the national spotlight. 

“This shows how even Bloodhounds are able to win sometimes and it allows more people to see and [recognize] the Bloodhound. Now they are out there and have more attention,” Rebert explained. 

The competition was not easy for the young Bloodhound. He had beaten ‘Winston’, the French Bulldog, a Samoyed, German shepherd, Lakeland terrier, English setter and a Maltese. For the judges and audience, Trumpet was a notch ahead of all the other dogs and in their eyes had the best showing.

“He’s strong, such a powerful dog. He really floated around that ring and that’s because of his conditioning,” said on air analyst Gail Bisher on Good Morning America.

Many viewers couldn’t resist falling in love with Trumpet’s prance around the ring. The unique layout and lengthy flabs made him the most noticeable out of all of the contestants. This was certainly a day Trumpet and the Bloodhound community will remember forever.