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Sealyham Terrier Wins Best In Show At The 2023 National Dog Show

The Sealyham Terrier has won Best in Show at the 2023 National Dog Show.

Stache the Sealyham Terrier beat out over 1850 dogs representing 199 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club. First, he claimed victory in the Terrier Group in a field of 26 breeds. He then took on the other six group winners to take home the top honor in Oaks, Pennslyvania. The Dalmation, winner of the Non-Sporting Group, was named Reserve Best in Show.

The German Shepherd Dog won the Herding Group for the second year in a row; the Chesapeake Bay Retriever won the Sporting Group; the Shih Tzu won the Toy Group; the Azawakh won the Hound Group; and the Great Dane won the Working Group.

Related: Full list of breeds at 2023 National Dog Show

NBC televised the 2023 National Dog Show directly after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the 22nd straight year. Every year, more than 20 million people tune in for the event, which was commentated by longtime hosts John O'Hurley and David Frei. Mary Carillo also returned for more commentary, analysis and behind-the-scenes looks at one of the oldest dog shows in the world.

Who won Best in Show at the National Dog Show last year?

National Dog Show 2022: Best in Show (full)

Find out who wins Best in Show at the 2022 National Dog Show.

Winston the French Bulldog won the top award at last year's National Dog Show, becoming the first in his breed to win Best in Show at the competition since 2002.

What dog breed has won the most Best in Show at the National Dog Show?

Since 2002, two breeds have won Best in Show at the National Dog Show twice. In two straight years in 2011 and 2012, a Wire Fox Terrier won the top spot. In 2020 and 2021, Claire the Scottish Deerhound made history by winning Best in Show and the National Dog Show twice, becoming the first dog ever to do so.

Ban On American XL Bully Dogs Could Lead To Increased Abandonment – Charity

The Government ban on American XL bully dogs could lead to increased abandonment rates for the breed, a charity has said.

New rules due to come into force on December 31 will make it illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, rehome, abandon or allow XL bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.

It will be illegal to own an XL bully from February 1 2024 unless the animal is on an exempt list, called the Index of Exempted Dogs.

Those who wish to keep their dogs have until the end of January to register them with the exemption scheme or they can choose to have their dog euthanised and apply for compensation.

Owners will be forced to comply with strict rules including the requirement to muzzle them and keep them on a lead in public, but the dogs must also be microchipped and neutered.

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) fears the rules may lead to a "postcode lottery" on vets being able to help owners meet the terms, the BBC reported.

The charity said: "We fear that these factors will result in a postcode lottery on helping owners euthanise or neuter their bully XLs, and could increase abandonment rates for owners that have nowhere else to turn."

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been contacted for comment.

At the start of the month, following a Government update on the ban, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home released a statement on behalf of the Dog Control Coalition that expressed concerns over Defra's definition of an American bully XL type.

The group said: "As a coalition of the country's leading dog welfare and veterinary organisations we…will take time to thoroughly review this, whilst continuing to support owners in any way we can, including offering support and advice.

"We will also continue to support those working in the animal welfare sector who care for American bully XLs, and the vets who may find themselves asked to euthanise healthy dogs for no other reason than how they look."

The breed will be banned from the end of the year (Jacob King/PA)

Dogs more than a year old on January 31 must be neutered by June 30 next year, while those less than 12 months old must be neutered by December 31 2024.

Owners without a certificate of exemption will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL bully as of February 1, and their dog could be seized.

Then environment secretary Therese Coffey confirmed earlier in the year that she was adding the breed to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act, adding that ministers have taken "quick and decisive action to protect the public from tragic dog attacks".

The changes came following a spate of attacks involving the dogs.

In October, a woman was injured after she was attacked by her own American XL bully in Norfolk.

In September, 52-year-old Ian Price, from Staffordshire, died in hospital after being attacked by two American XL bullies.

People take part in a protest in central London against the Government's decision to add XL bully dogs to the list of prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act (Jeff Moore/PA)

In November last year, Jack Lis, 10, was killed by a American XL bully while at a friend's house in South Wales.

The owners of the dog, Amy Salter and Brandon Haydon, were jailed as a result of the attack.

Owners of the breed have staged protests against the ban, including a march through central London in September, where demonstrators did not take their dogs.

An official definition of the breed has been published by the Government, with features including a "heavy, large and broad" head and a "blocky or slightly squared" muzzle.

It is also described as being "heavily muscled" with a "large, blocky body giving the impression of great power for size", and a glossy, smooth and close coat.

The XL bully joins a list of other banned dogs, including the pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, fila Brasileiro and dogo Argentino.

American XL Bully Officially Banned In UK After Spate Of Attacks

American XL Bully dogs will be banned in the United Kingdom next year following a series of attacks and deaths involving the muscular dog breed.

The U.K. Government announced Tuesday that the breed is being added to the list of prohibited canines under the Dangerous Dogs Act, according to The Independent.

The law states it will be illegal to own an XL bully from Feb. 1, 2024, with owners facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine after that date unless their dog is on an exemption list and owners comply with strict requirements, such as microchipping and neutering their pets.

UK CONSIDERS BANNING AMERICAN XL BULLY DOGS FOLLOWING ATTACK THAT INJURED 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL

American XL Bully dogs are officially banned in the United Kingdom. (John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Under the new rules, XL Bullies older than 12 months on Jan. 1, 2024 must be neutered by the end of June, while dogs less than a year old on that date must be neutered by the end of 2024. Owners who opt to put their XL Bullies to sleep will be offered around $240, the U.K. Government said. 

Portions of the law will go into effect at the end of this year. From Dec. 31, it will be illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow American XL Bully dogs to stray in England and Wales. From this date, these dogs must also be kept on a lead and muzzled in public.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referred to the breed in September as a "danger to our communities," after a man in England died in a suspected attack by two of the dogs. An 11-year-old girl was also injured by a suspected attack by an XL Bully.

In May, a 37-year-old man died after being mauled while looking after his friend's dog, reported to be an XL Bully, according to Sky News. Last year a man and a woman were jailed after admitting to being in charge of a XL Bully that mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in 2021.

The series of attacks led to a public outcry.

Sunak called on government ministers to legally define the characteristics of the American XL Bully with the assistance of police and canine experts and vowed to outlaw the breed. The breed is not recognized by groups such as the Kennel Club in Britain or the American Kennel Club in the United States.

American XL Bully owners have held protests in London opposing the ban.

UK WILL BAN AMERICAN XL BULLY DOGS AFTER SERIES OF RECENT ATTACKS

The American XL Bully was originally bred from the American pit bull terrier. Some campaigners have called for the type of dog to be added to the banned list because they believe dangerous characteristics have been bred into the animals.

The U.K. Kennel Club also does not recognize the breed but has argued that no breed is inherently dangerous. The organization does not believe that breed-specific bans address the most important factors contributing to attacks, primarily irresponsible dog owners who train their dogs to be aggressive.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to ban the dogs but stopped short of saying they should be euthanized. The dogs, which have huge, powerful jaws and can weigh over 132 pounds, have risen in popularity since the COVID-19 lockdowns, which saw dog ownership rise. Under Sunak's plan, owners will have to register their dogs and muzzle them in public places. They will also be required to neuter them so that the dog type dies out within a decade. (HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Bully breeds' names come from their origin used in blood sports, such as bull baiting. The dogs are muscular in stature and have heavier bone structures than pit bulls. 

Pitbull terriers, Japanese tosas, dogo Argentinos and fila Brasileiros are already banned in the United Kingdom, according to The Associated Press. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.Dorgan@fox.Com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.

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