WWE star Dustin Rhodes brought his massive Mastiff, nicknamed Beast, to the prestigious Crufts dog show at the NEC Birmingham in early March 2025. Known widely for his wrestling persona Goldust, the 56-year-old entered Beast, weighing 114 kilograms (about 250 pounds), into the working group open category, where the dog secured third place. Despite not winning the championship, Rhodes proudly displayed his prized canine, hoping to highlight the giant’s talents and charm.
Beast’s Unique Status and Rhodes’ Unexpected Passion for Dog Shows
Rhodes, son of legendary WWE performer Dusty Rhodes and brother of wrestling star Cody Rhodes, has recently embraced a surprising career development by participating in dog shows across the United States. Alongside his still-active wrestling career on the AEW circuit, he has successfully propelled Beast to become the top-ranked Mastiff in America. Mastiffs, as part of the working dog category, are traditionally bred and trained to help and protect their owners, making Beast’s size and demeanor particularly fitting for the role.
Rhodes explained Beast’s demanding diet, revealing the dog consumes around $250 worth of food monthly, including dry kibble, chicken, rice, and steak, amounting to roughly eight cups of food each day. This massive intake reflects Beast’s enormous stature and high energy needs.
Rhodes’ Reflections on Beast’s Performance and Temperament
Despite his confidence in Beast’s abilities, Rhodes was disappointed by the third-place finish, confident his dog deserved the top position.
“I thought our dog was the best,”
Rhodes stated candidly.
“I am biased but I thought our dog was amazing, it is a once-in-a-decade dog. Beast is perfect in my eyes, he weighs more than I do and he thinks he is a lap dog.”
He continued,
“He just jumps on you and he is the best dog in the world. I would never own another breed. I can’t wait to go and see him again, I gave him a hug after he finished third. He did well, I am very pleased and happy to be over here and honoured to be at Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show.”
During the event, Rhodes kept a low profile to avoid distracting Beast, as the dog tends to become overly excited upon seeing him. The long day of competition had a special emotional charge, as Rhodes had not seen Beast for four months prior to the show. Rhodes described the Mastiff’s sensitive nature, saying Beast can even detect individuals with high or low blood pressure and visits to check on them.
He praised Mastiffs profoundly, saying,
“Mastiffs are amazing, amazing animals, man. I would never own another breed besides a Mastiff, and I’ve had all kinds of dogs over my life and Mastiffs are just everything – pure, loyal, loving, just crawling on your lap, hurt your bones.”
Balancing Wrestling and Dog Competitions Amid Recovery
While Rhodes was fully engaged at Crufts, his wrestling career remains active, although he is currently recovering from double knee surgery. He is scheduled to return to the wrestling tour in three weeks after a six-month hiatus. This balancing act between professional wrestling and dog showing has marked a distinctive chapter in Rhodes’ life, highlighting his dedication to both fields.
The Importance of Crufts and What Lies Ahead for Rhodes and Beast
Crufts, organized by The Kennel Club, is widely recognized as the world’s premier dog show, celebrating the health, happiness, and companionship of dogs and their human partners. Held annually at the NEC in Birmingham, the event attracts top canine competitors from across the globe. The 2025 show ran from March 5 to 8 and received broad coverage on Channel 4 and More4.
Although Beast narrowly missed the top prize, Rhodes’ participation has brought added attention to Mastiffs and their unique qualities. With his combined presence in wrestling and dog shows, Rhodes is likely to continue raising awareness and admiration for the breed. Fans can expect to see more appearances from both Rhodes and Beast, as they pursue new dog shows and wrestling tours in the coming months.
