A Canadian canine has won what her owner calls the equivalent of an Academy Award in the dog world -- the prestigious best-of-breed trophy at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York.

The two-year-old black standard poodle, named Kate Winsit as a play on the "Titanic" actress, preened and pranced and charmed the judges and audience at the show, eventually besting competitors from the U.S. and around the world.

"We're still sort of in shock and remarkably overwhelmed and unbelievably happy and I don't think there are enough words for all the emotions we've had in the last two days," said Winsit's owner, Dr. Elly Holowaychuk, a veterinarian in Edmonton.

Holowaychuk told CTV's Canada AM she was unable to attend the competition which took place Feb. 13 and 14, and was actually in surgery at her Mills Haven Veterinary Clinic in Sherwood Park, just outside Edmonton, when her dog won the award.

Winsit's handler was with her at the time.

"My Canadian handler Allison Foley called me as soon as she came out of the ring and left a message for me at the office because of course I was in surgery. And the message was: 'It isn't anything urgent but can you call me back right away,'" Holowaychuk said.

"So as soon as I was able I called her back and she gave me the news and I don't know who was happier Allison or myself or probably Kate."

It was a pompom-adorned Pekingese that won the overall best in show title. The four-year-old named Malachy won his 115th overall top title, to the delight of the crowd.

Holowaychuk has been breeding poodles for over 27 years, and has been a vet for 35 years.

She and her husband run the Mills Haven clinic, along with a successful breeding program that has turned out 65 Canadian champions, 35 American champions and three international champs as well as dozens of other titles in multiple classes and categories.

However she said the most recent title is "the epitome of recognition."

"I said to my staff members who understand it very clearly, I said it's kind of like the Academy Awards of dogs, it's the ultimate compliment that you can receive, it's the ultimate recognition you can receive from a judge and we will cherish it forever. It's beyond belief, it's absolutely the best of the best," Holowaychuk said.

Winsit will now continue to show around the U.S., and there are plans for her to attend the National Specialty in Baltimore -- the largest show in North America -- where she won an award of merit last year.

Holowaychuk said she hopes to eventually breed Winsit back home in Alberta.