Sit, stay, slay: Anton the poodle named best in show at Sydney’s Royal Easter Show

For competitive dog owners, winning here is the achievement of a lifetime. This year’s champion has won it twice Anton knew he’d won, jumping up and down as though he’d crossed a finish line first, celebrating as though someone had left a gate open. But even the very smart standard poodle could not comprehend the scale of the win. Not only had he nailed best dog in show at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show, he was the first dog to win back-to-back trophies in the biggest canine competition in...

By Jack Larkin; photography by Teagan Glenane