WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW
It’s a howlin’ good time during the Westminster Dog Show and New York goes to the dogs for two days during Valentine’s Day week. The Westminster Kennel Club sponsors the show for nearly 3,000 dogs who strut their stuff and hope to win the prize of top dog. However, winners get a trophy and bragging rights only. There is no prize money. Of course, breeding contracts often follow.
The show is an opportunity to introduce new breeds. For example, in 2019 two breeds introduced were the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (or “Grand”) and the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (pronounced Koi-ker-hond-yuh, also known as a Koiker).
HOW TO OBSERVE #WestminsterDogShow
You may not want to show your dog at the Westminster Dog Show. It costs between $50,000 – $100,000 to get your dog muscled, groomed, and trained for the show.
Tickets to get into the show are between $35.00 and $600.00 per day.
You can watch it on television sports channels or follow it on social media. Share your favorite moments, breeds, and breeders from the show. Use the hashtags #WKCDogShow #RoadtoWKC #WestminsterWeek
WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW HISTORY
The dog show came from a gathering of sporting gentlemen who formed a club and started a kennel.
Before there was a Brooklyn Bridge, World Series, Washington Monument, or an American Kennel Club, there was a dog show in New York. The only U.S. sporting competition older than the Westminster Dog Show is the Kentucky Derby which is two years older. The New York Bench Show of Dogs premiered in 1877 at Gilmore’s Garden. The show was later moved to its current home, Madison Square Garden. The first year attracted more than 1,200 dogs.