A whippet from Venice has been crowned best in show at Crufts 2025 – taking out 18,500 other competing pooches.
Four-year-old Miuccia, from Venice in Italy, came out on top on Sunday at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre after four days of tough competition.
The female whippet, owned by Enrico De Gaspari, was the winner of the hound group earlier in the show.
She was chosen by judge Patsy Hollings, beating the winners of six other groups to bag the trophy.
The adorable Miuccia made history with her win as it was the first time an Italian dog has won best in show at Crufts, and the fourth time for a whippet.
After winning the title, her handler Giovanni Liguori said: ‘It’s really a dream come true. I am truly overwhelmed. Miuccia performed her best.
‘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.’
A whippet named Miuccia from Venice has been crowned best in show at Crufts 2025 at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, beating out 18,500 other competing pooches
Four-year-old Miuccia, from Venice in Italy , came out on top on Sunday after four days of tough competition
The female whippet, pictured with her handler Giovanni Liguori, was the winner of the hound group earlier in the show
She was chosen by judge Patsy Hollings (right), beating the winners of six other groups to bag the trophy
It was the first time an Italian dog has won best in show at Crufts, and the fourth time for a whippet
Handler Giovanni Liguori pictured parading winner Miuccia around the ring at the National Exhibition Centre
Handler Giovanni Liguori pictured giving the winning pooch a kiss on the cheek after her history-making win
The runner-up, Viking, a Tibetan mastiff from Romania pictured with his owner next to their trophy
Asked what it meant to handle the first dog from Italy to win Crufts, Giovanni said: ‘It’s incredible, it’s amazing.
‘As Italians we are super proud and means that we are doing a fantastic job.’
The runner-up was Viking, a Tibetan mastiff from Romania.
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts show manager, said: ‘Congratulations to Miuccia who helped end this year’s competition on a real high, taking the prestigious Best in Show award alongside her handler, Giovanni Liguori.
‘It has been fantastic to watch their strong relationship together in the ring, and 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 – it’s an incredible achievement, one we are sure they’ll treasure for years to come.’
