Did you hear? Rumor the German shepherd wins best in show at Westminster dog show

What a comeback!

Rumor was crowned America's top dog Tuesday night when, a year after a near miss on the very same green carpet, she came out of retirement to win best in show at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

In a year that's seen lots of late, startling twists in sports -- think Patriots, Cubs and Cavaliers — Rumor pulled something of a shocker. She'd been at home in Wisconsin for months, a house pet headed toward having puppies, when she suddenly jumped back into the show ring in January. 

'Unbelievable'

Cheered loudly all around the ring by a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden, she's just the second German shepherd champion at the event since it began in 1877. 

"Unbelievable," handler and co-owner Kent Boyles said. 

America's premier dog show

The five-year-old Rumor beat out a Norwegian elkhound, a pekinese, a miniature poodle, an Irish setter, a boxer and a Norwich terrier in the final ring. 

A historic sporting event

More than 2,800 dogs of 200 breeds competed for the top prize in the New York City show, the second-oldest sporting event in the United States behind the Kentucky Derby horse race.

'Really good competition'

Asked about the chances of Rumor adding to her 103 career championship ribbons, handler and co-owner Kent Boyles said, "I have no idea. … You never know." 

"Really good competition," he said, adding that he was "pretty nervous."

Best in show

Individual breeds were judged during the day on Monday and Tuesday, with the winners of each moving on to group competitions.

The winners of seven groups then compete for the final best in show award.

Doggie diversity 

Dogs from 49 states and 16 foreign countries entered this year's show, where they were judged on characteristics specific to their breeds.

'Obsessed with dogs'

"I'm obsessed with dogs," said Samantha Alaia, 24, a human resources worker from Staten Island, N.Y., attending her first Westminster show. "It's just been great being able to see them."

More than 500 sporting dogs

The sporting group, representing hunting and retrieving dogs, has the largest number of entries at more than 500.

Who's walking whom?

Watching Raina McCloskey, 7, romp around with her borzoi buddy, it was hard to tell who was leading whom. "Mommy, where do I go into the ring?" Raina asked before boldly making her debut in the main draw. Her mother led a dog right behind them.

Handlers who take dogs into the ring at Westminster are almost always adults. There is a portion of the program for junior showmanship, yet even those participants are usually teenagers.

American hairless terrier makes its debut

Three new breeds were eligible to compete at this year's show. The American hairless terrier, pictured below, was bred in the 1970s to hunt rats and other vermin. In addition to the terrier, the sloughi and the pumi also made their debuts at Westminster this year.

Getting beautified before the big show

Lots of energy is required …

Because competition is hard work