Photo Provided Ellen Culler, center, poses with her Havana Silk dog Myles and judge Richard LeBeau after Myles won Best in Show and Best of Breed last week at the Regional Specialty competition of the Havana Silk Dog Association of America event in Pittsburgh.

Ellen Culler has a very, very good dog. He now has the ribbons to prove it.

Culler and her Havana Silk dog Myles took top honors during the second day of the three-day National Specialty competition of the Havana Silk Dog Association of America, held Aug. 14-16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Pittsburgh. Myles took home both Best in Breed and Best in Show in the Aug. 15 Regional Specialty competition.

The Havana Silk is a type of Havanese dog, bred to be a more sound and healthy animal free from the health problems that plague many Havanese, according to the association’s website. The Havana Silk is well known for its straight, long, shiny coat, Culler said.

Last week was just Myles’ second time in a competition and, at just under 2 years old, he was the youngest dog competing in Pittsburgh.

During the Friday competition, Culler said, Myles first won the junior class championship, which allowed him to compete against other champions from other classes. In the end, judge Richard LeBeau named Myles both Best in Breed and Best in Show.

“He just liked what he saw,” Culler said of LeBeau, “and he told me afterwards ‘I just love the way his little face looked.'”

In a funny coincidence, Culler said, Richard LeBeau is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, while Myles is named after Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.

“It’s unusual for a dog so young to win the awards that he won,” Culler, the art teacher at Elm Grove and Bethlehem elementary schools, said. “He was competing against other veteran dogs who are beautiful in many ways. The group is very supportive of each other.

“I’m grateful to Judge LeBeau, who saw something special in Myles that sent him into the winners circle to earn his championship,” she added.

Developing a championship show dog takes many people, Culler said. Myles is co-owned by her cousin’s wife, Mary O’Day, who also serves as the president of the Havana Silk Dog Association of America’s board of directors. And Myles’ groomer David Waddell has been essential in keeping Myles’ coat in such condition that it hits all the standards for champion Havana Silks.

But the star of the show, Culler said, is Myles. He loves to play and loves to be ornery, she said. He’s gentle and curious. He’ll be a little timid when he first meets people, but warms up to them quickly.

Culler isn’t sure what Myles’ future holds in terms of competitions, but the two made sure to enjoy their big wins last weekend.

“It was a great surprise to me and a great thrill,” she said. “And Myles definitely got some extra treats that night.”