Whether your dog is a pure breed or mixed, you can always learn a lot by watching (or attending) the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  It is the oldest contiguous sporting event (2nd only to the Kentucky Derby) in America.  Winners of each group (of which there are 7) will compete Monday and Tuesday night for Best In Show – an incredible honor at what is considered the most prestigious dog show in the world.  

The dogs do not compete against each other, per se.  They compete to determine which dog most closely represents the description of their breed standard set forth by the American Kennel Club (AKC), according to the Best in Show judge.

Here are some historical highlights about the Westminster Dog Show:

1876 (or earlier) – men met to trade stories of accomplishments of their shooting and their dogs.  It became an annual meeting which they names after their meeting place, the Westminster Hotel.

1889 – “The Czar or Russia” was listed as the breeder of a Siberian Wolfhound entered.

1890  “The Emperor of Germany” is listed as the owner of a Russian Wolfhound.

1893 – J.P. Morgan makes his first of many appearances with his Collies.

1905 – becomes the largest dog show with 1752 dogs entered.

1907 – the first time the Best In Show title is awarded.

1917  – Filax of Lewanno was exhibited.  He was a German shepherd dog who became a WWI hero for, among other things, bringing 54 wounded soldiers to safety.

1924 – the first time there were 5 Group winners – Sporting, Working, Terrier, Toy, and Non Sporting.  Now there are 7.

1933 – Mrs. M. Hartley (Geraldine Rockefeller) Dodge is the first woman to solely judge Best in Show.  She had made quite a name for herself in the dog world (her property in Madison was once the site of the largest dog show by the Morris and Essex Kennel Club).  Many know her today as the benefactor of St. Hubert Giralda Animal Shelter.

1933 – Lou Gehrig’s German shepherd is entered, taking 2nd in the Open Bitch Class.

1935 – Mrs. Sherman Hoyt became the first woman to win Best In Show with her Standard Poodle.

1948 – The Westminster Dog Show is televised for the first time.

1989 – A red Doberman Pinscher bitch, Ch. Royal Tudor’s Wild as the Wind, CD became the first dog with an obedience title to win Best In Show.

1992 – Westminster becomes the first Champions-only dog show under the AKC rules.

2002 – Westminster salutes the many Search & Rescue Dogs that performed so heroically during the 9/11 tragedy.   I was at this show and it was one of the most moving things I’ve ever seen.  

2005 – This is the first time that Madison Square Garden sells out for both show days.

2009 – Sussex Spaniel Ch. Clussex Three D Grinchy Glee, “Stump”, is the oldest dog to win Best In Show ant 10 years of age.  “Stump” was featured on the cover of AARP magazine.

2014 – The Masters Agility Championship is added to the events at the Westminster Dog Show.

2015 – The Westminster Dog Show adds “Meet the Breeds”.  Since this is one of the few benched shows, meaning the dogs are made available to the public at set times, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet the exhibited dogs and ask questions of the handlers and owners.

 

Winners from best of breed competitions, which took place Monday day and Tuesday day, will air tonight and tomorrow night.  

Monday on CNBC from 8-11pm will showcase breed winners from the Hound, Toy, Non Sporting, and Herding groups.

Tuesday on USA from 8-11pm will showcase breed winners from the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups, as well as the 7 Group winners that will compete for Best In Show.

Enjoy the pictures and enjoy watching the show.  If you ever have the opportunity to go to The Westminster Dog Show in person, I highly recommend it.  There is no other show like it!

Stacie & Ronan