Dog and owner duet judged 'howling success'

Cecil is the terrier mix that won the contest

In this story: Winning pooch does an encore Dog was adopted from a shelter RELATED STORIES, SITES

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A mutt beat out nine other dogs and one cat on a New York stage, winning the title of North America's best singing pet.

Cecil is a 7-year-old terrier mix that, along with owner Bill Hagemann, sang to "Mr. Moon."

While some may have heard only howls, whines and barks from the four-legged contenders, the judges heard melodies.

VIDEO Watch this talented terrier belt out his tune Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Three hundred pets originally auditioned for the competition. The 11 finalists appeared in front of an audience at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan.

Though some got a little stage fright, other dogs enjoyed their moment in the limelight. Chappy, an 8-year-old Greyhound, sang to Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," and a Chihuahua-mix named Buddy belted it out to "New York, New York."

But Cecil stole the show and performed an encore after being announced the winner, singing along to "Give My Regards to Broadway."

Hagemann says his son was the first to discover Cecil's singing talent, after the family adopted the dog from a California animal shelter.

The event was sponsored by the Bayer Corp.'s animal health group to promote the company's Advantage flea control products.

As the Advantage Best Singing Pet, Cecil wins a recording studio session, a year's supply of Advantage flea control, a chance to appear in an Advantage advertisement and a $1,000 cash prize.

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