DOG SHOW; One of the Biggest Is Best in Show

A Newfoundland named Josh, a serene, lumbering black working dog, won the Westminster Kennel Club's best in show at Madison Square Garden last night, the second victory ever for the breed.

The judge, Burton J. Yamada, took more than 20 minutes to decide on Josh, or Ch. Darbydale's All Rise Pouchcove, walking up and down the line of seven finalists, examining over and over, peering at them as he shielded his eyes from the arena's glare.

''I didn't know it took so long,'' said Yamada, who chose the same dog last year to win the working group. ''I was having too much fun. You have to give people their money's worth.''

Michelle Ostermiller, Josh's handler, could only say, ''I'm stunned.''

The co-owner of the 155-pound dog, Peggy Helming, said: ''It was just an awesome performance. It's a great way to retire this boy. It was perfect. We couldn't have asked for any more from him.'' His final, and most significant best in show, was his 46th.

Ultimately, Yamada said, it was Josh's ''showiness'' -- including a spontaneous bark that charmed a crowd that rallied behind him -- that led him to defeat the top dog in the country last year, a Norfolk terrier named Coco, as well as a Pekingese, a Sussex spaniel, an Ibizan hound, a Pembroke Welsh corgi and a standard poodle.

Earlier in the day, Yamada said that when a group of seven finalists epitomize the standards of their breeds, he goes for the showiness and attitude. ''What makes a good actor?'' he asked. ''They assume the part, and have the desire and attitude to win.''