Flynn the bichon frise won best in show at the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Tuesday night, topping other contenders like Slick the border collie and a pug named Biggie.

The choice was a surprise to most of the crowd at Madison Square Garden, with many fans falling silent when the 5-year-old white powder puff was picked.

Flynn also beat out Ty the giant schnauzer, Bean the Sussex spaniel, Lucy the borzoi, and Winston the Norfolk terrier.

Bill McFadden, the dog's handler, began showing the breed at the competition in 1991, the New York Times reported.

"It feels a little unreal," McFadden said. "I came in expecting nothing except hoping for a good performance, and I think I got it."

Underdogs and upsets are way more than norm on the green carpet of the Garden — inside dog fanciers indeed fancied Flynn, but the people sitting in the stands was obviously pulling for other dogs.

Ty came into this competition as the nation's No. 1 show dog last year and finished as the runner-up. He endeared himself to the crowd by jumping up and putting his front paws around handler Katie Bernardin after winning the working group earlier in the evening. Slick and Lucy also drew applause.

Cheers of "Let's go, Biggie!" bounced all arena for the popular pug. And Bean was a clear crowd favorite, the way he sat up straight on his hind legs and begged judges for the biggest treat in dogdom.

Almost 6, Flynn posted his 42nd career best in show victory in what is almost certainly his last show before retiring.

The famed JR was the only other bichon to win Westminster, in 2001. McFadden has enjoyed success at the Garden, having guided Mick the Kerry blue terrier to the title in 2003.

Flynn won't get much rest before beginning his victory lap. Wednesday's schedule includes visits to the morning TV news shows, a steak lunch at Sardi's, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, and he's been invited for a walk-on part at a Broadway hit "Kinky Boots."

The Westminster-winning team gets no prize money. Instead, there's a shiny bowl, lucrative breeding fees and, most of all, a lifetime of memories.

The 142nd Westminster event attracted 2,882 entries in 202 breeds and varieties. Among those who didn't quite make the cut: face-licking Spicy Nacho the miniature bull terrier who drew laughs, just not the judge's look.

Flynn made a goodwill gesture toward Stenmark upon meeting her, offering his paw as if to shake hands when she went down the line to review the final seven dogs.

His full name is Belle Creek's All I Care About is Love, and this champion from the nonsporting group delivered a few minutes before it became Valentine's Day.

"He has my heart," McFadden said. "He is pure joy."

The fans seemed to like Flynn, too, only they hollered a lot more for several others.

"He kept wagging his tail and that sold himself to me," Stenmark said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.