Quite a rally for Rumor 香蕉视频直播� a commanding comeback for German shepherds, too.

Rumor was crowned America香蕉视频直播檚 top dog Tuesday night when, a year after a near miss on the very same green carpet, she came out of retirement to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.

Cheered loudly all around the ring by a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden, she香蕉视频直播檚 just the second German shepherd champion at the event that began in 1877.

香蕉视频直播淯nbelievable,香蕉视频直播� handler and co-owner Kent Boyles said.

In a year that香蕉视频直播檚 seen lots of late, startling twists in sports 香蕉视频直播� think Patriots, Cubs and Cavaliers 香蕉视频直播� Rumor pulled something of a shocker. She香蕉视频直播檇 been at home in Wisconsin for months, a house pet headed toward having puppies, when she suddenly jumped back into the show ring in January.

Boyles is a fan of the Packers and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Seeing a pet go from the couch to this top prize, heck, that香蕉视频直播檚 a dog world Hail Mary.

The 5-year-old Rumor beat out a Norwegian elkhound, a Pekingese, a miniature poodle, an Irish setter, a boxer and a Norwich terrier in the final ring. The Irish setter called Adrian finished second.

香蕉视频直播淭he German shepherd standard talks about quality and nobility,香蕉视频直播� judge Thomas Bradley III said. 香蕉视频直播淲hen you recognize it, it hits you at home, and that香蕉视频直播檚 what it really is. She is just magnificent.香蕉视频直播�

Rumour is named for the hit song 香蕉视频直播淩umor Has It香蕉视频直播� by Adele, a champion herself after sweeping the major categories at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

This was the 104th career win for Rumor, and earlier in the day, Boyles said that this would definitely, for real, be her last major show.

香蕉视频直播淪he香蕉视频直播檚 going to be relaxing for a while,香蕉视频直播� Boyles said after the win, but ultimately, there are 香蕉视频直播減uppies in her future.香蕉视频直播�

Clearly the crowd favourite, Rumor came out flying into the best-of-seven final ring to fans whistling and calling her name.

Rumour raised up for a well-deserved treat right after the win. Moments later, as Boyles did post-show interviews, Rumor spotted him and ran toward the man who guided her to victory.

Rumour joined the fittingly named Manhattan in 1987 as the only German shepherds to go best in show at the Garden.

There were nearly 2,800 dogs entered in the 141st Westminster canine competition, spread across the 202 eligible breeds and varieties.

The moment any German shepherd steps into the ring at the Garden, the crowd goes crazy.

New Yorkers just love 香蕉视频直播榚m.

Some say it香蕉视频直播檚 because rooting for a German shepherd is the same as putting on an NYPD or FDNY hat, standing up for a dog that stood tall at a time of the city香蕉视频直播檚 greatest need.

香蕉视频直播淢y sentiments, exactly,香蕉视频直播� Boyles said.

While German shepherds hadn香蕉视频直播檛 won a lot here, many of them were on the green carpet of the centre ring in 2002 when Westminster honoured search and rescue dogs for their tireless work at the World Trade Center and Pentagon following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The solemn tribute is considered by many the most cherished memory ever at Westminster.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e loyal, dependable dogs that you can count on,香蕉视频直播� Boyles said.

Rumour nearly won Westminster last year. She came to town as the nation香蕉视频直播檚 No. 1 show dog with more than 100 overall ribbons but was beaten in a surprise by a German shorthaired pointer named CJ.

In fact, when the judge began to announce his champion pick with 香蕉视频直播淕erman sh香蕉视频直播�,香蕉视频直播� Boyles took a step forward, anticipating the prize.

香蕉视频直播淚 was thinking,香蕉视频直播� Boyles said.

That was supposed to be Rumor香蕉视频直播檚 last show, and she was set to head home with Boyles to Edgerton, Wisconsin, to be a house pet and have puppies. She didn香蕉视频直播檛 conceive and late in the year, Boyles thought twice about Rumor香蕉视频直播檚 retirement.

香蕉视频直播淪he liked to show and was in good shape, so we thought, why not?香蕉视频直播� he said.

Rumour went back on the circuit in January for 10 shows. She won the herding group Monday night at the Garden, beating top show favourite Preston the puli.

She topped that with the ultimate win at America香蕉视频直播檚 most prestigious dog show, rewarding the faith German shepherd fans always show in them.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a recognizable dog, people have liked them for a long, long time,香蕉视频直播� WKC President Sean McCarthy said earlier. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it goes back to Rin Tin Tin.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播� AP freelance writer Ginger Tidwell contributed to this report.

Ben Walker, The Associated Press