Mako is a “little sweet and a little silly,” says owner Chanel Lefever, 17, of Saxonburg.

But as for quality, Lefever believes her beagle is good enough to best the 20th in the country ranking the pup earned last year.

Mako will accompany Lefever on Feb. 15 to the teen's third trip to the Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York City.

More than 3,000 dogs representing 1,197 breeds will compete in the 140th annual show.

“Beagles come in hoping that they'll get to be the third (Best of Show),” said Gail Miller Bisher of The Westminster Kennel Club.

A beagle named Uno was the winner in 2008, and Miss P. took the honor last year.

“It's anyone's game,” Bisher said.

Lefever, a junior at Knoch High School, first went to the country's premiere dog competition to compete in junior showmanship, where the handlers are judged.This is the first year she'll step into the ring for the breed competition where it's the canine that's under scrutiny.