Sonoma’s Tibetan Mastiff wins Best of Breed at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Arguably the finest Tibetan Mastiffs in the United States lives in Sonoma, and this week, he took the stage in the biggest dog show in the world.

Rafa won Best of Breed for Tibetan Mastiffs at the most prestigious event in dog breeding in his first appearance at the competition on Tuesday. That sent him the compete for Best of Group against other Working Dogs, where he lost out to a giant Schnauzer named Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain. Ultimately, CH Soletrader Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, won the coveted Best in Show title.

At 2 years old, the magnificently large Mastiff — whose full name is Aujudon Dreamcatcher King Of Ring Rafael Nadal — was one of the youngest dogs to make it to Westminster in Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City after wracking up victories over the past 18 months.

“It's kind of like watching your kids compete in sports,” said Carleen Faybusovich, who owns the dog with her husband, Vlad, during an interview before the big event. “And now he's going to the World Series.”

Canine prestige

The first Westminster Dog Show took place in 1877, making it the second longest continuously running sporting event in the United States next to the Kentucky Derby. Originally a Kennel Club for hunting dogs, the event now invites 2,500 dogs who compete to be “America’s dog.”

“We all say it's the granddaddy, it's the Show of Shows, it’s the king of kings, it's the Super Bowl, it's the Olympics,” Carleen said. “He’s never competed in front of so many people.”

During competition, judges meticulously observe each canine’s adherence to the ideal specimen of their breed.

Weighing in over 100 pounds with a thick double coat, Rafa — who his owners call the King of Sonoma Mountain — looks somewhere in between a lion and Chewbacca from “Star Wars.” While not fully grown, this tank of fur and teeth now holds the title of top Tibetan Mastiff in the country.

He comes from a lineage of award-winning dogs. In fact, it was at the Westminster Dog Show two years ago that the Faybusoviches saw Rafa’s father and immediately contacted the breeder. Seven days later, Rafa was born. The owners had to make their own impression on the breeder with a trip to Georgia, who told the couple, “If I like you, I sell you dog,’” Vlad said.

The Faybusoviches did not originally adopt Rafa to compete. However, his breeder asked them to make a promise: Enter Rafa in a few competitions to see if he liked it.

“Two years later, he’s in Westminster,” Vlad said.

At his first competition in Reno, Nevada, the enormous canine showed an immediately aptitude for competition, much like his father. His grandfather was the winningest Mastiff in the history of the United States, Vlad said.

“His mother has been the best of opposite sex for Tibet Mastiffs in the country for four years now. His father was number one for three years,” Carleen said.

Like his official show dog name, Rafa became a “king of ring,” amassing wins from judges, adulation from fans and collecting thousands of followers on Instagram.

“It's in him,” Carleen said.

Pretty sit

Rafa, Carleen and Vlad went to My Pal Pet Groomers in Sonoma May 5 for his final grooming treatment before he flew to New York on Saturday. Debra Harris, Rafa’s groomer at My Pal, has worked with Faybusoviches for the past 18 months.

“When you’re out there competing against top handles, grooming is everything,” Harris said. “He’s a working/guarding breed, and the bigger he can look, the more fearsome he will appear. So we’ll take that coat and fluff it up to the nth degree.”

The journey to Westminster Dog Show is arduous and much is required to receive a hallowed invitation. Competing dogs must be a champion and rank in the top five in their breed. Rafa won Best of Breed at the American Kennel Club national championship in Florida on Jan. 1.

“Our goal for this Westminster is to win Best of Breed,” Carleen said before the show. “As we're attaining those goals, it just gives you more energy. It gives you life. It just makes you want to pursue it even more.”

Handler Stephanie House had two dogs make it to Westminster, including a Great Pyrenees from Windsor who competed against Rafa in the Working Group. The great mastiff entered the ring Tuesday evening and “shook hands” with his novel handler, drawing laughter and coos from the crowd, who dressed in tuxedos and evenings gowns for the occasion, Carleen said.

“There's just electricity in the air and the crowds start coming in,” Carleen said. “It’s exciting, but there’s also this anxiousness of how we’re going to do, and going over the routine.”

Carleen and Vlad watched like anxious parents from the sidelines, worried that Rafa might get “a little rambunctious” with a new handler and a massive crowd.

“When you see your kids perform in the Olympics, it’s the same feeling. But it’s better because the dog is much nicer,” Vlad joked.

The Faybusoviches were “over the moon” to see Rafa carry on his family’s championship pedigree in Westminster this week as Best of Breed. In fact, it was a family affair as Rafa’s father won a merit award and his mother again won best of the opposite sex.

“We feel like Rafa, his name has been permanently etched in Westminster history. And we know that it's only going to get better,” Carleen said. “He's going to improve as he as he matures and so we're just excited. We can't wait for next year.”

Watch Rafa compete in the Westminster Dog Show on the FOX NOW App and FOX Sports App. Visit westminsterkennelclub.org/2022-wkc-dog-show/2022-schedule-of-events for more information.

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.