By Ben Walker Associated Press NEW YORK — Watching Raina McCloskey romp around the Westminster Kennel Club dog show ring with her borzoi buddy, it was hard to tell who was leading whom.

There were a lot of warm-and-fuzzy sights when America’s top pooch parade began Monday. But something cuter than a shy 7-year-old girl galloping with an 8-year-old dog nearly double her size? MARY ALTAFFER/AP Preston the puli won his breed competition Monday.

“Makes me teary-eyed,” said her mom, Kari, of Delta, Pa.

While No. 1 contender Preston the puli got off to a quick start and won his breed competition, Raina and Briar were early crowd favorites.

The handlers who take dogs into the ring are almost always adults.

Raina had a question or two — “Mommy, where do I go into the ring?” — and then, with her mother leading a dog right behind her, boldly made her debut in the main draw. As fans noticed the unlikely pairing in the borzoi breed competition, the sound of “awwwww” filled the ring.

When Raina presented Briar to judge Steven Herman, he leaned over and softly asked: “Is he your friend?” She nodded.

Moments later, Raina took a tumble when her sneakers caught a seam of the uneven carpet. She bounced up in a hurry, drew a loud cheer and finished the run alongside Briar.

Raina and Briar made the first cut of the 27 borzoi entries. Eventually, the bestin-breed ribbon went to Lucy, who finished second overall last year. “I’m so proud of her; she did a great job,” Raina’s mom said.

MARY ALTAFFER/A Seven-year-old Raina McCloskey shows Briar, a borzoi, during the Westminster Kennel Club dog Show on Monday