www.silverguide.site –

Anton knew he’d won, jumping up and down as though he’d crossed a finish line first, celebrating as though someone had left a gate open.

But even the very smart standard poodle could not comprehend the scale of the win. Not only had he nailed best dog in show at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, he was the first dog to win back-to-back trophies in the biggest canine competition in the land.

Hundreds of dogs, breeders, handlers and spectators gathered at the Sydney Showground on Sunday to watch the best Australian dogs of different breeds, ages and sizes compete for prizes.

  • Backstage at best-in-show day – the culmination of nine days of judging

There were lanky deerhounds and wrinkled dogues de Bordeaux, tiny papillons and sober basset hounds.

Whimpers could be heard from the kennels and dog fur was thick in the air, as owners brushed immaculate coats and supplied treats to nervous pooches.

  • Anton in action with his handler James Bennett

Owners matched outfits with their model dogs, sporting shiny dresses and classy suits. After years of training and months of qualifying events this was their grand final, and you could feel the nervous tension in the air.

Anton, the champion of champions, is the stereotypical show dog: a beautifully groomed black poodle with apom pom haircut and a long and slim physique. By any measure, this dog has movie star looks.

And on Sunday he knew it, parading with the assurance of a dog who has been to the show and won it before.

  • Clockwise from top left: papillons Whoopi and Honey Bun; Marcus the saluki with his owner Norm Strathdee; Dexter the Skye terrier beside his handler Tish Pelchen; Kayden the Peruvian hairless dog with owner Michelle Fidler and Bruno the Xoloitzcuintle miniature with owner Kahlia Murray

His handler and co-owner, James Bennett, was nervous. A dog groomer by trade, he was wearing a light blue jacket and hiding his anxiety once in the ring, exuding calm and charm in front of the judges.

But the tension was rising. The placeholders of this pinnacle event were announced with the theatre of a season finale of The Bachelor. The runner-up was announced, then the judges asked the remaining dogs to parade around the ring one last time.

Just as Anton trotted past the crowd, the announcer declared: “The poodle has won; it’s the first-ever back-to-back winner in the show’s history.”

Bennett, heedless of his pale linen, fell to the ground. Anton jumped all over him, euphoric and victorious. The crowd rose up in a thunderous standing ovation.

Bennett is a third-generation competitor in the show; his grandmother and his mother competed before him. He called winning the ultimate prize two years in a row a dream come true.

Getting four-year-old Anton, who is co-owned by his breeder, ready for the show was a regimented process.

“We know every year he’s shown here, he’s won the breed,” Bennett said. “We knew every year he would need to look at a certain level.

  • Wallace the standard poodle with Susie Gale and Gabi Read. Wallace turned one at the weekend and won best puppy in show

“You start getting ready for this event, thinking of how you want him to look six months out, eight weeks out, basically making sure everything is solid before the big day.”

Despite making history, Bennett and his family planned a quiet celebration.

“I think we’re going to sit at home and maybe have some champagne, just soak it all in,” he said. “It’s been a big couple days and huge couple of years.”

As for Anton, he has one last show ahead of him, the biggest of them all. Bennett and Anton are to compete at the World Dog Championship in Bologna, Italy.

“He’s representing Australia in Italy, like the dog show Olympics,” Bennett says. “It’s pretty special. We’re planning this year to be his last year; he’s accomplished everything he can.”