You’ve seen them. That blur of honey-colored fur, the "smile" that seems to radiate pure optimism, and a tail that honestly never stops moving.
If you tuned into the National Dog Show 2024 golden retriever ring this past Thanksgiving, you saw exactly what everyone expected: perfection. But there is a weird, almost frustrating reality about Goldens in the show world. Everyone loves them, yet they have this bizarre "curse" when it comes to the top prize.
People always ask, "How did that Golden not win?"
I get it. They look like the physical embodiment of a sunbeam. But the judging at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia isn't a personality contest. If it were, the show would be over in five minutes and we’d all be at the pub with a Golden Retriever under the table.
The 2024 Breed Results: Who actually took the ribbon?
This year was competitive. Like, seriously high-stakes.
In the Sporting Group, we saw a massive lineup. But if you’re looking for the name that dominated the breed specifically, you have to look at the "Specials" (those are the dogs that are already champions).
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While the Clumber Spaniel named Houston ended up taking the Sporting Group First—meaning he was the one who moved on to the Best in Show ring—the Golden Retriever ring was a masterclass in breed type. To the casual observer, they all look like great pets. To the judge, it's about the "standard."
We’re talking about the slope of the neck, the density of the undercoat, and that specific "soft" expression.
Why Goldens struggle to win Best in Show
It’s the question that haunts every Thanksgiving dinner after the parade.
Basically, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the world. This is actually a disadvantage. Because we see them every day at the park or in our living rooms, we have a very fixed idea of what they should be.
But in a dog show, the judge isn't comparing a Golden to a Pug (like Vito, the 2024 Best in Show winner). They are comparing each dog to its own written "blueprint."
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- The Over-Saturation Factor: Judges see thousands of Goldens. To stand out, a Golden has to be more than perfect. It has to be undeniable.
- The "Generic" Trap: Sometimes, a flashy breed like an Ibizan Hound or a Wire Fox Terrier just has more "theatre" in the ring.
- Precision Grooming: You wouldn't believe the amount of work that goes into making a Golden look like they "just woke up looking this good." It’s hours of thinning shears and chalk.
Honestly, the National Dog Show 2024 golden retriever entry was a reminder of why this breed stays at the top of the AKC popularity charts year after year. They have this incredible "will to please" that translates into a focused, happy performance in the ring. Even if they don't take the big red ribbon, they are clearly the ones having the most fun.
What most people get wrong about show Goldens
There is a common myth that show dogs are just "pretty" and can't actually do the work they were bred for.
That’s total nonsense.
A lot of the dogs you saw on TV at the National Dog Show also have titles in the field. They can hunt. They can swim through icy water to grab a duck and then come home and look glamorous on a velvet rug.
When you’re watching the National Dog Show 2024 golden retriever highlights, look at the legs. Those dogs have serious bone and muscle. They aren't fragile. They are athletes in gold suits.
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The Vito Factor: The Pug that stole the spotlight
We have to acknowledge the elephant (or the Pug) in the room.
The 2024 Best in Show went to GCHG Andi In Cahoots, known as Vito. He made history. It was the first time a Pug ever won the top spot at this show.
While Golden fans were rooting for their breed to finally break the "Sporting Group" ceiling, Vito was just too good to ignore. He had the "structure and movement" that the judges crave.
It’s sort of the beauty of the National Dog Show. One year it’s a regal Scottish Deerhound, the next it’s a Sealyham Terrier, and this year, it was a 18-pound Pug from North Carolina.
Actionable insights for Golden lovers
If you watched the show and decided you absolutely need a Golden Retriever in your life, don't just go to the first website you find.
- Look for Health Clearances: The "show" Goldens you see on TV have been tested for hip dysplasia, elbow issues, and heart conditions. Reputable breeders do this.
- Check the "Lines": If you want a dog that looks like the ones on the National Dog Show, you’re looking for "English" or "American" show lines. They tend to be stockier with blockier heads compared to "field" lines, which are leaner and darker red.
- Grooming is a Job: If you want that fluffy, golden look, prepare to brush. A lot. Like, every day.
The National Dog Show 2024 golden retriever competition may not have ended with a Best in Show trophy, but as any Golden owner will tell you, the trophy doesn't matter when you have a dog that thinks you’re the center of the universe.
To dig deeper into specific breed winners or to see the full Sporting Group breakdown, you can head over to the official Kennel Club of Philadelphia records or watch the full replay on Peacock. Watching the way the dogs move in the "Best of Breed" round is the best way to train your eye for what a truly great Golden looks like.