Rumor the German shepherd wins Best in Show

NEW YORK -- Rumor the German shepherd has become America’s top dog.

Cheered loudly all around the ring by a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden, Rumor was picked as Best in Show at the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday night. 

Rumor became just the second German shepherd to win the nation’s most prestigious pooch parade, joining the fittingly named Manhattan in 1987. Rumor retired after a near-miss at Westminster last year, but she returned a month ago to give it another try. 

The 5-year-old Rumor is named for the Adele hit song “Rumor Has It.” This was the 104th career win for Rumor, and handler and co-owner Kent Boyles said earlier in the day that this would definitely, for real, be her last major show.

There were some 2,800 dogs entered in the 141st Westminster canine competition, spread across the 202 eligible breeds and varieties.

Rumor beat out a Norwegian elkhound, a Pekingese, a miniature poodle, an Irish setter, a boxer and a Norwich terrier in the final ring.