Rumor, a German shepherd, is shown in the ring during the Herding group competition during the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Rumor won the best in Herding group. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

NEW YORK, N.Y. - She's ranked as the No. 1 show dog in America. And listening to the crowd at Madison Square Garden chant her name, she easily was Miss Popularity, too.

"Let's go, Rumor!" fans hollered shortly before the German shepherd ran rings around her competition.

That was Monday night at the Westminster Kennel Club. On Tuesday night, the 4-year-old who's already won 101 best in show titles will try to add the crown at the nation's most prestigious pooch event.

Provided, of course, she gets her proper exercise. Kind of tough in New York City, sometimes.

"It's not easy to find green spaces to let her run. Most of the places around here are concrete," said handler Kent Boyles of Edgerton, Wisconsin.

Rumor was resting Tuesday afternoon in a crate covered by a blanket.

"That's to help keep her calm," Boyles said. "Me, I'm not so calm."

Only one German shepherd has ever won Westminster, the famed and fittingly named Manhattan in 1987.

Rumour was the perfect picture of a well-groomed champion in winning the herding group. Poised, she seemed to look at the crowd as she ran across the green carpet.

Only after she was picked did she break character and jump up a bit.

Rumour is fresh off her biggest win yet, at the AKC/Eukanuba show in Florida last December.

With more than 2,700 dogs entered, her top competition could come from Charlie the Skye terrier, who finished second to Miss P the beagle at Westminster last year.

Charlie won the prominent National Dog Show in Philadelphia shortly before Thanksgiving. As expected, he was picked as best of breed in early judging Tuesday.

Already assured spots in the final ring of seven are hound group winner Lucy the borzoi, toy winner Panda the shih tzu and nonsporting champ Annabelle the bulldog.

The top sporting, working and terriers get chosen Tuesday night, followed by the best in show pick shortly before 11 p.m.

Also on display:

RING ROOKIES: There are 199 breeds and varieties of dogs at the show, including seven newcomers this year. Two of them made their debuts Tuesday, the Boerboel and lagotto Romagnolo.

The public-address announcer at the Garden welcomed five first-timers on Monday night — the Bergamasco, Cirneco dell'Etna, berger Picard, Spanish water dog and miniature American shepherd. They all got nice cheers, though none advanced beyond the group stage.

CATWALK TO DOGS WALK: This is Fashion Week in Manhattan, and the models are strutting less than a block from the Garden. But don't expect to see any of them venturing from the runway over to the ring.

Even though designer Valentino famously brings his pugs everywhere, most of the fashionistas are pretty busy. Instead, watch what the top handlers wear on the green carpet.

As a rule, the pooches are supposed to be the stars, so no glitzy couture or loosey-goosey garments. Michelle Scott is among the very best, she's twice won best in show at Westminster.

"It has to be comfortable. It has to be professional. And I like bright colours," she said.

As for the models on the catwalk, would they be dressed for success with the dogs?

"Oh, they're all so beautiful," Scott said. "But those high heels and short, little outfits. I don't think that would work."

Most dog owners brought their own lucky clothes. From hats to sweaters to jewelry, there were many breeds and varieties of pooch apparel on parade around the rings.

Erik Schimmelfing of Raleigh, North Carolina, came to town with a T-shirt featuring a picture of a basset hound that covered his torso.

"This was the first article of clothing in my suitcase," he said.

UNO FLAP: Try to imagine Derek Jeter being ejected from Yankee Stadium on Old-Timers' Day. That's sort of what happened Monday night to Uno the beagle, widely acclaimed as the most popular winner in Westminster history.

CNBC wanted to show Uno in the opening segment of its telecast, and had him brought to the TV tower in the ring. But Uno wasn't registered to be in the building and Westminster officials didn't know he was there until they heard him barking.

Now almost 11, the 2008 winner and his handlers were escorted by security out of the Garden as "any undocumented dog would've been," Westminster President Sean McCarthy said.

A spokesman for NBC Sports said it was "a misunderstanding."

News from © The Associated Press, 2016