Miniscule affenpinscher dog is America's top banana
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Banana Joe, an affenpinscher who won the Toy Group, walks during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Angel, a two-year-old toy poodle, leans against her cage during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A Chinese Crested, Gingery's Fuchsia, sits on her cage in the staging area at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Aristocrat, a St. Bernard from Hopewell, New Jersey, kisses his owner Linda Baker as they wait in the benching area prior to judging in the Working Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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In this Feb. 10, 2013, file photo, a pair of Neopolitan Bull Mastifs named Paparazzi and Ruben ride the elevator with their owners after checking into the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York in preparation for the Westminster Dog Show. -- PHOTO: AP
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Teddy, a Gordon Setter, is groomed before judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Great Pyrenees Sky (L) and Gem (R) with Joan Hanover (C) at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A pair of West Highland White Terriers sit on their grooming tables before they compete at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A row of Samoyeds are groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Cole, a Komandorok, is groomed by Val McMellis before judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Grace, a St. Bernard, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A Skye Terrier is judged during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 12, 2013. More than 2,700 prized dogs will be on display at the annual canine competition. Two new breeds, the Russell terrier and the Treeing Walker coonhound, will be introduced in the contest. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Boxers are judged at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Italian Spinoni, Diogi, is blown dry at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013 in New York City. Best of breed dogs were to compete for Best in Show at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Halli, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from Germany, stands atop his cage as he waits in the benching area prior to the first night of Group judging during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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A Pomeranian is carried by its handler to be judged during competition in the Toy Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Honor, a Bichon Frise, and winner of the non-sporting group, is shown during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. -- PHOTO: AP
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A rough collie waits to compete in the hearding group during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. -- PHOTO: AP
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Swagger, an Old English Sheepdog, poses for photographers after winning the Herding Group during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Banana Joe, an affenpinscher who won the Toy Group, walks during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Angel, a two-year-old toy poodle, leans against her cage during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A Chinese Crested, Gingery's Fuchsia, sits on her cage in the staging area at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Aristocrat, a St. Bernard from Hopewell, New Jersey, kisses his owner Linda Baker as they wait in the benching area prior to judging in the Working Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
In this Feb. 10, 2013, file photo, a pair of Neopolitan Bull Mastifs named Paparazzi and Ruben ride the elevator with their owners after checking into the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York in preparation for the Westminster Dog Show. -- PHOTO: AP
Teddy, a Gordon Setter, is groomed before judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
Great Pyrenees Sky (L) and Gem (R) with Joan Hanover (C) at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
A pair of West Highland White Terriers sit on their grooming tables before they compete at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 12, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A row of Samoyeds are groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
Cole, a Komandorok, is groomed by Val McMellis before judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
Grace, a St. Bernard, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
A Skye Terrier is judged during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, February 12, 2013. More than 2,700 prized dogs will be on display at the annual canine competition. Two new breeds, the Russell terrier and the Treeing Walker coonhound, will be introduced in the contest. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Boxers are judged at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show February 12, 2013 in New York. -- PHOTO: AFP
Italian Spinoni, Diogi, is blown dry at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013 in New York City. Best of breed dogs were to compete for Best in Show at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. -- PHOTO: AFP
Halli, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from Germany, stands atop his cage as he waits in the benching area prior to the first night of Group judging during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
A Pomeranian is carried by its handler to be judged during competition in the Toy Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Honor, a Bichon Frise, and winner of the non-sporting group, is shown during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. -- PHOTO: AP
A rough collie waits to compete in the hearding group during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Madison Square Garden in New York. -- PHOTO: AP
Swagger, an Old English Sheepdog, poses for photographers after winning the Herding Group during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb 11, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
NEW YORK (AFP) - A tiny black affenpinscher called Banana Joe became top banana in America's dog world by winning Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.
After winning his toy dog category on Tuesday, Banana Joe went on to face serious - not to mention much bigger - competition in the final round pitting the best in breeds against each other.
Up against the miniscule pooch were a German wirehaired pointer, a smooth fox terrier, an American foxhound, a fluffy white bichon frise, a Portuguese water dog and an enormous shaggy old English sheepdog.
Swagger the sheepdog, which resembled a cross between a lion and a cotton wool ball, was a crowd favourite, earning huge cheers every time it ran around the judging ring.
