© 2026 ABC News

\"I just knew we did a good job,\" he said.

\"PHOTO:
Justin Lane/EPA via Shutterstock
PHOTO: A Bichon Frise, named Flynn, is led by handler Bill McFadden before winning "Best In Show" at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, Feb. 13, 2018. The annual competition features hundreds of dogs from around the country.
>

The next stop for Flynn, only the second bichon frise in history to win at Westminster, is retirement, McFadden said. The dog will move back to Michigan to live with his owners.

\"It’s bittersweet because I enjoy being around him -- he’s lived with me for two years -- but it’s a pretty awesome way to stop,\" McFadden said.

\"PHOTO:
Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/USA Today
PHOTO: Flynn, a Bichon Frise, along with handler Bill McFadden (R) and judge Betty-Anne Stenmark (L) pose for pictures after winning the Best In Show at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, in New York City, Feb. 13, 2018.
>

Flynn, 5, came out on top over Ty the giant schnauzer, Biggie the pug, Bean the Sussex spaniel, Lucy the borzoi, Slick the border collie and Winston the Norfolk terrier in the final round, according to ESPN.

The two-day Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show drew challengers from 50 states and 16 other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Japan, Russia, Australia and China, the Westminster Kennel Club said in a statement.

\"PHOTO:
Mary Altaffer/AP
PHOTO: Flynn, a bichon frise, poses for photos after winning best in show during the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 14, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
>

Flynn stood out as the \"perfect example of his breed,\" according to Gail Miller Bisher, communications director for the Westminster Kennel Club.

\"He has the dark round eyes that create the beautiful expression of a bichon,\" she said.

\"PHOTO:
Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock
PHOTO: A Bichon Frise, named Flynn, poses after winning Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, Feb. 13, 2018, in New York City.
>

McFadden explained what goes into creating a winning look for Flynn, whose given name is GCHP CH Belle Creek's All I Care About Is Love.

Who let the @WKCDOGS out? We think it may have been @LaraSpencer. Check out her backstage adventures at the #WKCDogsShow! ?? pic.twitter.com/IByOIYSYmM

— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 14, 2018

\"He gets shown at a lot of dog shows and he always gets a bath like two times, three times a day,\" McFadden said. \"Then he gets 'scissored' on for a while.\"

Here are more fun facts about Flynn, according to McFadden.

\"PHOTO:
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Flynn, the Bichon Frise, with handler Bill McFadden, poses after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club 142nd Annual Dog Show in Madison Square Garden, Feb. 13, 2018, in New York City.
>

1. He is a clown who loves to make people laugh.

2. He is related to the first bichon frise to win at Westminster, a dog named JR.

3. He loves a good belly rub.

4. His favorite pastime is rolling in the snow.

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