NEW YORK — The prestigious Westminster Kennel Club dog show is celebrating its 149th year and making its anticipated return to New York’s Madison Square Garden, marking the first time it has done so since early 2020.
This event is often heralded as the most prominent dog show in the United States and has temporarily relocated to venues outside Manhattan due to the pandemic and other factors. However, the organizers were eager to restore its long-standing tradition at what is known as the World’s Most Famous Arena.
“If you are passionate about dogs and eager to witness the finest canines from across the globe contend for the coveted best in show title, be sure to attend,” stated the club’s President, Donald Sturz. For those unable to be present, Fox Sports will offer coverage of various event segments on FS1 and FS2 and provide additional streaming on their website and app, while Westminster will stream other portions of the competition. The event will take place over several days, concluding with the best in show announcement on Tuesday evening around 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
The competition this year might see Mercedes, the German shepherd who placed second last year, rise to the top as the ultimate champion, or perhaps Monty, the giant schnauzer, whose impressive past performances include being a finalist for two consecutive years and winning the American Kennel Club’s notable event in December, will claim the title this time. There’s always a possibility of an unexpected contender seizing the prize.
Here’s what to know about Westminster and the world of dog shows it represents.
The event kicks off Saturday morning at the Javits Center, where agility and obedience championships will take place alongside other demonstrations, including a nod to a modern competition, flyball, which resembles a four-legged relay race requiring dogs to navigate a series of jumps and retrieve balls.
The classic breed-specific judging, known as “conformation” within the show community, follows on Monday and Tuesday. Initial rounds occur during the day at the Javits Center, where dogs are judged according to their breed. Each breed’s winner will then compete against others in their “group” during the evenings at Madison Square Garden, leading to the final showdown between the seven group champions on Tuesday night.
Judges at each stage analyze which dog best corresponds to the ideal standards established for its breed. This year, approximately 2,500 dogs from 201 breeds and varieties are entered in the competition, showcasing a diverse assortment of canines from all 50 states and 12 additional countries. Well-known breeds like golden retrievers will be present alongside less common breeds such as sloughis. However, mixed-breed dogs, including popular doodles, are not allowed as they do not have purebred status according to the American Kennel Club, which oversees Westminster and similar dog shows in the U.S.
The dachshund boasts the highest number of entries, with 52 dogs participating. Alongside them, hundreds of other dogs, including mixed breeds, will join in agility and obedience trials, where a mixed breed known as Nimble made history last year as the first mixed dog to win an agility title.
How do dogs qualify for this esteemed competition? Initially, breeders select puppies based on their physical and psychological traits suitable for showcasing. These chosen pups undergo grooming and training to shine in the ring. Puppies as young as four months can begin competing in AKC shows. Many owners choose to exhibit their dogs themselves, while others hire professional handlers to navigate the competitive landscape across the country in pursuit of rankings.
This quest for a national ranking, referred to as “campaigning” a dog, involves strategic considerations akin to politics. Owners may gather insights into rival contestants’ plans and decide whether to face them in competitions or avoid specific matchups based on a judge’s record or even promote their dog through full-page ads in canine publications.
As for favorites, every canine at Westminster has won some championship points, but certain dogs stand out statistically, according to the Canine Chronicle. Top contenders this year, apart from Monty and Mercedes, include a pug named Vito who triumphed at the National Dog Show during Thanksgiving, as well as past Westminster semifinalists like Comet the Shih Tzu and Louis the Afghan Hound. A high-ranking otterhound and a triumphant wire fox terrier are also in the mix. Nonetheless, the outcome can often hinge on the performance on the day of competition, as show aficionados suggest.
Historically, wire fox terriers have won the top honor 15 times, the most recent being in 2019, while various poodle types have amassed 11 triumphs, with a miniature poodle, Sage, taking home the award last year. While numerous popular breeds like the French bulldog and Labrador retriever have yet to secure a win, surprises aren’t uncommon; in fact, two of the last three winners have represented breeds that had never won before.
Winners can take pride in their titles, ribbons, and trophies, as there are no monetary rewards associated with the show. The agility and obedience champions, however, receive the honor of directing a $5,000 Westminster donation to a training club or the AKC Humane Fund.
Despite the event’s prestigious nature, it does face protests from animal rights activists. Historically, demonstrators have gathered outside and at times inside the venue, aiming to raise awareness regarding breeders. In a notable incident last year, a protester with a sign reading “boycott breeders” attempted to enter the competition ring but was swiftly intercepted and apprehended by security. The Westminster club asserts that it promotes responsible dog ownership while emphasizing the importance of preserving unique canine breeds.
