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Image: Charlie the Skye Terrier Best in Show

This Thanksgiving, 1,612 dogs from 175 breeds and varieties (including seven newly recognized breeds) competed for the chance to take home the Best in Show title at the 14th annual National Dog Show. But there could be only one winner: Charlie, the Skye Terrier!

Charlie, whose registered name is Ch. Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie, is a 4 1/2-year-old Skye Terrier who hails from Ocala, Florida. "He is a lovely example of the breed," Best in Show Judge Elizabeth Sweigart said of Charlie in a media release. "He is in impeccable condition, hard-muscled with a beautiful coat. For his breed, he really shows personality.”

Those of you who follow the dog show circuit may recognize Charlie as the Reserve Best in Show winner at the 2015 Westminster Dog Show and the Best in Show winner at the 2014 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. Overall, this accomplished Terrier has 78 Best in Show titles and 200 first-place finishes in the Terrier Group. Plus, he was the No.1 Terrier and Skye Terrier in 2014 and 2015.

With so many wins under his belt, we have a feeling that Charlie will be a prime contender at the 2016 Westminster Dog Show in February.

The Reserve Best in Show title went to Rubi, a 2-year-old French Bulldog from New York City who has won five Best in Show awards in the past.

In order to win the National Dog Show, Charlie had to beat out six other Best in Group winners, which is no easy feat. These were the other canine contenders:

Image: Rubi the French Bulldog wins reserve Best in Show at National Dog Show

• Matt, the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel (Sporting Group)
• Winslow, the Newfoundland (Working Group)
• Zack, the Bearded Collie (Herding Group)
• Rubi, the French Bulldog (Non-Sporting Group)
• Sonnito, the smooth-coat Chihuahua (Toy Group)
• Chelsea, the Scottish Deerhound (Hound Group)

If you missed NBC’s Thanksgiving broadcast of the dog show, don’t worry, NBC will air an encore presentation of the competition on Friday Nov. 27, from 8 to 10 p.m. And be sure to check out our exclusive behind-the-scenes gallery below for a chance to see what you won't see on TV.

EmbeddableSlideshow: Behind the Scenes National Dog Show 2015

More on Vetstreet:

• Teach Your Dog to Stop Begging
  
• 7 Reasons to Be Thankful for Dogs
• Popular Names for Small Dog Breeds
• 10 Best and Worst Thanksgiving Foods for Pets
• The Secrets and Strategies of Professional Dog Show Handlers

After spending nearly half of her life with her beloved Jackie, heartbroken tennis star Serena Williams shared an emotional tribute to her 16-year-old dog on Instagram. Williams said she was 17 when she brought the Jack Russell Terrier home, just two weeks before she won her first Grand Slam. “She had a way of telling me it was time for me to be brave and let her go. With my dad by my side we were able to say a loving goodbye ... I feel so lucky to have such a special friend. Give your dog, cat, pet a big hug,” she posted Tuesday, with several photos of Jackie. Condolences have been pouring in from her followers. — Read it at People Pets

Nov. 25, 2015: We've scoured the Web to find the best and most compelling animal stories, videos and photos. And it's all right here.

Image: Shadow saves family from fire

Lab Credited With Saving Family

An Indianapolis family has a four-legged best friend to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. They’re crediting Shadow, a Labrador Retriever-Terrier mix, with saving them from a fire that started early Tuesday morning, while the family was asleep in the home. Shadow, who’s pregnant, nudged Dallas Bailey awake when a fire started with a space heater near the foot of his bed. Dallas ran out of the room to tell the rest of his family, who all got out safely. Officials say the fire caused about $70,000 in damage to the home, and the Red Cross is working to help the family find a place to stay. “She's amazing for doing that," Dallas’ brother Thaylon Bailey said of Shadow. “I’m thankful for her,” said his mom, Theresa. — Watch it at The Indy Channel

Officials Rescue Orphaned Panther Kitten

Wildlife officials in Florida rescued an emaciated 4-month-old panther kitten in Naples early this month. They believe her mom was struck and killed by a car. Florida Fish and Wildlife received several reports about the kitten, and they were able to lure her in to a trap in order to help her. The kitten is now staying behind the scenes at the Naples Zoo while the FWC works to find her a permanent home. Sadly, said she won’t be able to return to the wild because she was orphaned at such a young age. — Read it at CBS Miami

African Penguins Get Help Finding Mates

Endangered African penguins have been paired at zoos based on recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ species survival program. That’s usually based on which of the birds are least related to each other. But in reality, the penguins’ preferences rarely align with the AZA’s plans. That means it’s up to their keepers to try to convince certain birds they’re a good match for each other, while distracting them from other potential partners. “Some people would say that’s not fair or nice, because you’re taking a bond that has previously formed and you’re breaking it up, but we’re not seeing any negative repercussions to it whatsoever,” said Glenn Dobrogosz, director of the Greensboro Science Center in North Carolina. “Their new bonds seem to be happy. They’re getting along, they’re building nests together, they’re cooperating, they’re switching off laying on the eggs. Ultimately, 10, 20, 30 years down the road, it’s better for the species.” — Read it at The New York Times

Image: Serena Williams and Jackie

Serena Williams Mourns Her Dog

After spending nearly half of her life with her beloved Jackie, heartbroken tennis star Serena Williams shared an emotional tribute to her 16-year-old dog on Instagram. Williams said she was 17 when she brought the Jack Russell Terrier home, just two weeks before she won her first Grand Slam. “She had a way of telling me it was time for me to be brave and let her go. With my dad by my side we were able to say a loving goodbye ... I feel so lucky to have such a special friend. Give your dog, cat, pet a big hug,” she posted Tuesday, with several photos of Jackie. Condolences have been pouring in from her followers. — Read it at People Pets

Rare Tiger Cub Born in Miami

A critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub was born Nov. 14 at Zoo Miami. The baby boy has been in seclusion with his first-time mom, Leeloo, since his birth, and the zoo says it’s been taking extra precautions to help the two establish a strong bond. They plan to allow the cub to remain isolated with Leeloo with little or no contact from the staff for the next several weeks. There are believed to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. — See photos from Zoo Miami on Facebook and see more cute zoo baby photos

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