The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is set to start with an agility competition at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, featuring over 2,500 dogs from 200 different breeds and varieties. The lineup includes familiar breeds like French bulldogs and Labrador retrievers, rarities such as Azawakhs and Norwegian lundehunds, and a newcomer, the Lancashire heeler. Chihuahuas are the best-represented breed this year, with 49 entries. Some of the top contenders from last year are expected to return, including Trouble, an American Staffordshire terrier, and Monty, a giant schnauzer. Other notable competitors include Comet, a Shih Tzu, and Zaida, an Afghan hound fresh off a win at the World Dog Show in Croatia.
All the dogs competing at Westminster are champions who have accumulated a certain number of points in the sport’s rating system. The process of becoming a show dog starts with breeders selecting puppies that are suitable for conformation competition. Some owners show their own dogs, while others hire professional handlers who compete across the country. The competition begins with dogs facing off against others of their breed, followed by semi-final and final rounds where judges determine the best in show based on how well each dog matches the ideal standard for its breed. Victory can come down to subtle distinctions and the performance on the day of the show.
While there are no cash prizes for winners at Westminster, bragging rights and trophies are at stake. The wire fox terrier has won the top prize 15 times, with poodles of various sizes close behind with 10 wins. Some breeds like the Labrador retriever have yet to triumph at Westminster, while others like the petit basset griffon Vendéen and the bloodhound secured wins in recent years. The event also features agility and obedience contests, with a special prize for the top mixed-breed dog known as an “all American dog.”
The U.S. dog show world is facing a reckoning amidst controversy and unexpected challenges. Dr. Adam Stafford King, a veterinarian and Havanese breeder set to judge at Westminster, was arrested in March on federal charges related to child sexual abuse material. While he has pleaded not guilty, the case raised concerns about the protection of children in the show world. The American Kennel Club revoked King’s judging privileges and implemented new abuse prevention programs for officials and handlers. The club approved a policy to address conduct that endangers well-being or undermines the sport, aiming to create a safe, inclusive, and family-friendly environment for all participants.
The Westminster Kennel Club dog show, now in its 148th year, continues to attract thousands of top canine competitors from around the world. The event showcases the best in show dogs and highlights the diversity of breeds and the dedication of their owners and handlers. Despite challenges and controversies, the Westminster dog show remains a prestigious and highly anticipated event in the U.S. dog show world, celebrating the beauty and talent of man’s best friend.
