<h2><strong>Miuccia the Whippet Wins Best in Show at Crufts 2024</strong></h2> A stunning <strong>Italian whippet named Miuccia</strong> has claimed the <strong>coveted Best in Show</strong> title at <strong>Crufts 2024</strong>, the <strong>world’s largest dog show</strong>, held in Birmingham, England. <h3><strong>A Historic Victory for Italy</strong></h3> Miuccia, a <strong>four-year-old whippet with soulful eyes and tiger-like markings</strong>, became the <strong>first Italian dog</strong> to win the prestigious title in the competition’s history. Her handler, <strong>Giovanni Liguori</strong>, was overwhelmed with emotion after the announcement. <blockquote> <h3><strong>"It’s really a dream come true. I am truly overwhelmed. Miuccia performed her best, I felt her very relaxed on the leash, so I’m super, super happy,"</strong> Liguori told British broadcaster <strong>Channel 4</strong>.</h3> </blockquote> He went on to express his deep admiration for his champion dog: <blockquote> <h3><strong>"I absolutely adore her. She’s fantastic, the sweetest dog, and she always wants to be super close to me. As Italians, we are super proud!"</strong></h3> </blockquote> <h3>Fierce Competition at the World’s Largest Dog Show</h3> Miuccia faced stiff competition from <strong>over 18,000 dogs</strong> that gathered at <strong>Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre</strong> for four days of high-stakes competition. In a historic runner-up placement, <strong>Viking, a Tibetan Mastiff from Romania</strong>, became the <strong>first of his breed to reach second place</strong> in the prestigious event. <h3>Crufts: A Tradition of Excellence</h3> First held in <strong>1891</strong>, Crufts has grown into one of the <strong>most famous international dog shows</strong>, attracting competitors from across the globe. The event is significantly larger than the <strong>Westminster Dog Show</strong> in New York, featuring nearly <strong>six times as many competing dogs</strong>. To win <strong>Best in Show</strong>, dogs must first <strong>compete in seven preliminary rounds</strong>, where they are grouped with other similar breeds before advancing to the final. Beyond the <strong>main competition</strong>, Crufts also features thrilling events showcasing <strong>dog agility, obedience, and performance skills</strong>, further cementing its status as the ultimate celebration of canine excellence. <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/10/uk/crufts-dog-show-miuccia-whippet-intl-scli-gbr/index.html"><em>Source</em></a>