Banana Joe, The 5-year-old Affenpinscher, Wins Best in Show At Westminster Dog Show; Twitter Congratulates Monkey-faced Terrier

A 5-year-old Affenpinscher named Banana Joe has won Best in Show at New York’s Westminster Dog Show, the New York Times reported.

Reserve Best in Show was won by 20-month old Swagger, an Old English sheepdog. But it was the monkey-faced affenpinscher who won the title of America’s top dog on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Affenpinscher has a German origin which means "monkey-like terrier."

Banana Joe has earned his 86^th win, the Associated Press reported, the day before he was being flown back to the Netherlands to be with his owner.

The AP added that 2,721 dogs were entered in the 137th Westminster.

Twitter is smitten with Banana Joe, with fans sharing their congratulatory posts:

@gabbyallover wrote, “THE AFFENPINSCHER WON BEST IN SHOW! ALL HAIL THE CUTEST DOG ON THE PLANET!”

@AmyL_Bishop tweeted, “My favorite Monkey Dog won!”

Holly Noe joked, “What will it take to get Joe Biden to publicly congratulate Best in Show Banana Joe the Affenpinscher?”

Nevin Alexis tried to tie together President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address and New York’s Westminster Dog Show:

“So at the end of the day, MSU won, an Affenpinscher dog won, and Obama won. (Sorta)”

Erika Burho has now decided to own an affenpinscher of her own:

“The Westminster dog show has convinced me of what I've long suspected to be true: I must get myself an affenpinscher! #cutestcanineever”

The American Kennel Club describes the dog on their website:

“Affenpinschers have a fun-loving, sometimes mischievous, personality. Their intelligence, appearance and attitude make them a good house pet, but children should always be taught how to properly handle the dog. Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment. They are very active indoors and most of their exercise needs can be met with indoor play, but they enjoy daily walks. Their wiry coat should be brushed and combed twice a week and trimmed twice a year.”

Congratulations, Banana Joe!