Belgian Griffon Dog Names

The Belgian Griffon was accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) under their other name and are able to compete in all AKC sanctioned events including the illustrious dog shows seen on television. Newton, or Grand Champion Somerset Wynzall Hashtag, took center stage when he won Best in Show at the 16^th annual National Dog Show presented by Purina. Newton had big shoes to fill since Gia the Greyhound won the event the previous year. But this pint sized gentleman was more than ready to step up to the challenge and win the hearts of viewers across the country. Newton became top dog when he was chosen over more than 2,000 other show dogs of various breeds and varieties. At just three years old, Newton had multiple Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show wins before competing at the National Dog Show. Peter Green, the Best in Show judge, chose Newton after the playing field had been narrowed down to just seven breeds. Green is a renowned terrier handler and judge. 

Newton was handled by Susan DePew, a professional handler from Aiken, South Carolina.  Newton is owned by Mike and Janet Bazell and Jeff Kestner of St. Johns Brussels Griffon Kennel and Ven Grasso. Newton’s breeders, Keith Jacobson of Somerset Kennels and Jo Ann Noffsinger of Wynzall Kennels are extremely proud of his accomplishments. In 2017, Newton was named the number three Toy dog in the country and the number one Brussels Griffon (Belgian Griffon). His win at the National Dog Show was his 22^nd Best in Show victory. Also in 2017, Newton won Best of Breed at the American Brussels Griffon Association National Specialty. In 2016, he won a Toy Group first at the AKC National Championship dog show but did not even get a look in the Best in Show ring. At just 14 months of age Newton completed his AKC championship by winning Best of Breed at the 2015 Morris and Essex Kennel Club dog show. Following Newton’s big win at the National Dog Show, he appeared on the Today show with his handler along with David Frei who is a veteran dog show analyst. Newton was set to retire from the show ring in 2018; however, he did make several appearances at select dog shows in hopes of ending his career at the top of the pack and being inducted into the Brussels Griffon Hall of Fame as the top winning male in history.