A four-year-old whippet named Miuccia has made history by winning Best in Show at the 2025 Crufts dog show in Birmingham, beating over 18,000 dogs from around the world.
Miuccia, hailing from Venice, Italy, claimed the prestigious title at the NEC on Sunday, marking the first time a dog from Italy has won the coveted award. Her handler, Giovanni Liguori, expressed his joy, saying, “It’s really a dream come true. I am truly overwhelmed. Miuccia performed her best.”
Miuccia, owned by Enrico De Gaspari, had earlier won the hound group at Crufts, and triumphed over the winners of six other categories to secure the top prize. The win also comes with a trophy and a reported cash prize of £200.
Liguori shared his deep affection for the whippet, stating, “I absolutely adore her. She is the sweetest dog. She always wants to be super close to me, and that’s the most important thing.”
Reflecting on the historic achievement, Liguori said, “It’s incredible, it’s amazing to be the first dog from Italy to be crowned Best in Show. As Italians, we are super proud, and it means we are doing a fantastic job.”
Crufts show manager Helen Kerfoot praised the bond between Miuccia and Liguori, noting it was “fantastic” to see their strong relationship in the ring. She added, “They are truly deserving winners. Well done to all of our other wonderful finalists too. The dogs, their owners, and handlers should be incredibly proud to have taken part in such a momentous final.”
The runner-up at the event was Viking, a Tibetan mastiff from Romania.
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