Meet Armina, a ‘warrior princess’ crowned the cutest dog in Charlotte

Armina isn’t just adorable — she’s a survivor.

The 7-year-old pitbull was the only girl in her litter and “ran the pack from day one,” according to her owner, Tracy Zart. So when it came time to name her, Zart and her husband, Adam, wanted something that stood for strength. They discovered the German meaning of Armina: “warrior princess.”

It turned out to be the perfect name.

At just two years old, Armina collapsed during a trail run and was rushed to an emergency vet, Zart told the Observer. She was diagnosed with sudden heart failure linked to a grain-free diet and given less than six months to live.

But she wasn’t done yet. With dietary changes, high-quality medications and supplements — and a whole lot of love — Armina slowly regained her active lifestyle, Zart said. Her EKGs showed no improvement for years, but she kept pushing forward. After four years of persistence, she made a full recovery.

Her final dose of medication came on her sixth birthday — the same day the photo was taken that ultimately won her the title of The Charlotte Observer’s Cutest Dog.

“That felt like the best gift we could ever give her,” Zart said.

It’s not the only milestone she’s reached. Armina also holds the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification, proving she’s as well-mannered as she is brave. She now shares her home (and likely her toys) with her Labrador retriever little brother, Hank, who is currently training in canine search and rescue.

Armina will move on to compete in McClatchy’s national Cutest Dog Contest, where she’ll face off against pups from nearly 20 markets across the country.

This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM.

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.