Handler Ernesto Lara poses for photographers with Banana Joe, an affenpinscher who won best in show during the 137th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Feb. 12, 2013, in New York. (AP/Mary Altaffer)

Over 180 dogs competed at the Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. Though crowd-favorite Swagger, an old English sheepdog, drew the most cheers -- it was a small five-year-old affenpinscher named Banana Joe who became America’s top dog on Tuesday, winning best in show.

Judging in the breeds took place on Monday and Tuesday. There were 2,721 entries among the 187 breeds and varieties at the show, including the outdoorsy sporting and hound groups. Twenty-month-old Swagger was selected as the runner-up.

Handler Ernesto Lara told the Associated Press that this is Banana Joe’s 86th best in show title overall.

"He's won a lot of big shows, but not like this one," Lara explained.

First held in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club dog show is America's second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind to the Kentucky Derby, according to the club's .

1907, 1908, 1909 - Ch Warren Remedy, Fox Terrier (Smooth) (westminsterkennelclub.org)