Wasabi the Pekingese wins Best in Show at 2021 Westminster Dog Show

A Pekingese named Wasabi has been crowned top dog at the US’ most prestigious dog show after a shock withdrawal.

Wasabi the Pekingese won Best in Show at the 145th Annual Westminster Dog Show in New York. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

A shock withdrawal has rocked one of the world’s most famous dog shows after a star handler had to pull out of the competition.

A prized dog handler was forced to withdraw from the prestigious Westminster Dog Show at the weekend after his van was rear-ended en route to this year’s show.

Bill McFadden was driving to the New York event with 10 dogs last Tuesday when a truck smashed into his vehicle in Wyoming, the New York Post reported.

The crash left McFadden in hospital, but he has since been released and is recovering at home in California. None of the dogs were injured.

Wasabi the Pekingese won Best in Show at the 145th Annual Westminster Dog Show in New York. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Three-year-old Pekingese ‘Wasabi’ took out the most coveted prize of Best in Show from a field of some 2500 dogs after a fierce two days of competition.

Wife and handler Taffe McFadden told the media she was pleased to still be able to take part in the event, despite the shock incident.

“I’m really glad to be here. I wish my husband was with me,” Taffe McFadden said as she prepared her dogs for the show.

“It’s a highly coveted dog show to be at, and for them to work this hard to make it happen is pretty awesome.”

The incident forced the star handler to withdraw just four days out from the competition, paving the way for the Pekingese to be named top dog.

Handler Bill McFadden pictured with winning dog Flynn the Bichon Frise in 2018. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

McFadden handled a Bichon Frise named Flynn at the 2018 show where he won the top prize.

Wasabi was carried into the top spot by handler David Fitzpatrick in a competition like no other, after the pandemic forced the event to be moved away from Madison Square Garden for the first time in its 145-year history.

Coming in second place was Bourbon the Whippet, who was named Reserve Best in Show.

It is the fifth time a Pekingese has been crowned the winner, with Wasabi following in the footsteps of last year’s prized pooch Siba, the Standard Poodle.

Wasabi the Pekingese after winning Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

The dog show, which is the second-oldest continuous sporting event in the US, looked very different this year after being moved from New York City to a suburban New York estate.

The show’s usual February schedule was pushed out to June and spectators were unable to attend the show for the first time due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.