RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Rapid City dog is defying his couch-lounging ways to become a celebrated competitor in dog show circles.

Deb Davenport owns the Spinone Italiano pup Partito, whose name means “party” in Italian. Partito advanced to the final eight of his group at the annual Eukanuba National Championship dog show last month, to be televised on February 2nd. The Rapid City Journal reports that it’s the furthest a dog of the relatively new breed has progressed in such a large show.

Davenport describes her pooch as an “everyday dog” that sleeps on the couch, barks at postal workers and chases squirrels. Partito likes to hunt, too.

Partito won best-in-breed, letting him compete with others in the sporting group. A wire fox terrier from California won top honors as Best In Show.