NEW YORK — Banana Joe didn’t monkey around this time.The little affenpinscher with the bouncy step and shiny black coat walked off as America’s top dog Tuesday night, winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.
Affectionately called a monkey dog because he looks just like one, Banana Joe made up for near misses the last two years at Madison Square Garden.
The 5-year-old wagged his tail a mile a minute after earning his 86th best in show title overall. It was a timely win, too, coming a day before he was set to fly back to the Netherlands with his owner.
An old English sheepdog only 20 months old was picked as the runner-up on the green carpet of the Garden. Swagger the sheepdog drew the most cheers, but judge Michael Dougherty picked Banana Joe.