A nice round apple head. Nice ears set in the right place. Big, bold eyes. A short nose.

These are characteristics award-winning Chihuahuas likely have; Nacho, born and bred in Lexington County, has each of those, plus some.

He smiles. He loves being in the show ring. He’s outgoing, defying pesky stereotypes tied to the world’s smallest breed. He’ll let anyone touch him.

This year, 3-year-old Nacho, also known as Nacho Average Dip, took home a grand title from the Super Bowl of dog shows, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

“We are incredibly proud to share that Nacho took Best of Variety at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City! An unforgettable moment at such a historic show, and an honor to stand among so many beautiful representatives of the breed,” a post from his Facebook page, Nacho the Chihuahua, read. “Thank you to the judge for recognizing this special boy, and to everyone who supports and cheers for him along the way. Moments like this are what dreams are made of.”

Before the apple-headed little guy took on the Big Apple, though, he started his days in the South Carolina Midlands with Sandi Murdock of Murdock Kennels, home of Omegas Chihuahuas.

Roughly 35 Chihuahuas, one old cat, a few chickens and a 33-year-old horse call Sandi’s Gilbert residence home.

Rustling pebbles beneath car tires often spur a chorus of yaps from Sandi’s dogs, but as soon as she says, “Hush,” they hush, and ask her for some love. She cradles them like babies, and talks to them like babies, too, because to her, that’s just what they are. Her kids.

“I think Chihuahuas are misunderstood because there are a lot of them out there that are vicious because backyard breeders have bred them and don’t care about the attitude of the dog. They don’t socialize the puppies, so the puppies are always scared. They’re fear biters,” she said. “Chihuahuas love you like no other dog.”

Ribbons, photographs and more plaster a wall of Sandi’s living room, and one corner is solely dedicated to Nacho. The smooth-coated boy is used to winning titles, including five Best In Show wins, Grand Champion Platinum title with the American Kennel Club and No. 1 Smooth Coat Chihuahua All Breed for 2024 and 2025.

There’s a lot of people who made Nacho’s Westminster win possible, including Sandi, and Nacho is obsessed with them all. Kacie Davis Jordan, a handler living in North Carolina, accompanies Nacho in show rings, walking him on a lead which he could easily slip out of, but doesn’t. He knows how to show.

Nacho’s owners are Michael and Leslie Camp of North Carolina. Leslie said she’ll respond to being called “Nacho’s mom,” too.

“He’s a happy boy,” she told the Chronicle. “When he’s in the show ring, he’s Mr. Business. He knows what he’s doing, and he loves all the clapping. He thinks every time somebody claps, they’re clapping for him.”

Who he loves more than anyone in the world, however, is the Camps’ first show dog, Coco.

“Nacho is really excited when he sees us at the show and everybody’s like, ‘Oh, he loves y’all so much,’ and we’re like, ‘We’re actually his vessel to get him back to Coco,’” Leslie said. “He’s just our boy when he’s home.”

Many of his relatives continue to enjoy the slow, rural life with Sandi in Lexington County near where Gilbert meets Leesville. They enjoy toys, the occasional Honey-Comb cereal piece as treats, full meals and stints of sunshine, but only under Sandi’s watchful eye, always looking out for birds of prey.

Not all of Sandi’s dogs are show dogs; some are pets. And many more are her pets, like Ally Cat, a double-coated girl attached to Sandi’s hip for the rest of her days.

Learn more about Murdock Kennels Omegas Chihuahuas at murdockkennels.com.