Demetrius the champion Bouvier des Flandres pauses during a grooming session to pet his owner, Elaine Paquette. The two are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City on Monday. (Jim Lagogianes/CBC)

Demetrius the dog has the credentials for a big win at one of the world's largest and most prestigious dog shows next week, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Ch Quiche's Demetrius, or Demetrius for short, is a 5½-year-old Bouvier des Flandres, and a champion show dog from southwestern Ontario.

Demetrius was set to hit the road Thursday, with his owner Elaine Paquette, from their home in Maidstone, Ont., destined for the big competition in New York City that begins on Monday.

"He knows he's a star," said Paquette, while blow-drying Demetrius's thick black fur.

The dog, who loves cookies and refuses to sit, comes from a long line of champions bred at Quiche Bouviers.

His mother, Zena, was Best of Breed at Westminster and his father, Sid, was the top herding dog in Canada.

Demetrius appears to be following in their paw prints, after winning 46 Best in Show titles, being Canada's No.1 dog in 2008, and winning Best of Breed at Westminister the same year.

Demetrius, a Bouvier des Flandres from Maidstone, Ont., will compete against 2,500 dogs from around the world at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday. (Quiche Bouviers)

Paquette is certain Demetrius, who weighs 45 kilograms, is in the running for top dog at the 134th Westminster show.

"I think he has a really good chance this year and he looks great," said Paquette.

Steak dinners for a champion

Paquette, along with her sister, and until recently her mother, have produced more than 100 champions over the last 30 years.

Her secret with Demetrius is simple, "you won't believe this, but I order him a steak."

She said it's also important not to tire Demetrius out or over groom him before he goes before the judges as part of the herding group on Monday.

There is no prize money associated with winning at Westminster, but the right to call your dog a champion is extremely valuable.

Paquette said Demetrius is worth at least $50,000 — hough she added he's priceless to her and not for sale. The breeding of champions is lucrative with each show puppy selling for $1,500.

There are more than 2,500 dogs from 173 breeds competing for the title of Best in Show to be awarded Tuesday.