Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Encyclopedia
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a two-day, all-breed benched conformation show
Conformation show
Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...

 that takes place at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...

 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

 every year. The first Westminster show was held in 1877.

The Westminster Kennel Club staged its 135th Annual All Breed Dog Show on February 14–15, 2011. Its entry limit of 2,500 dogs featured all 179 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club for competition in conformation shows.

History

The first Westminster show was first held on May 8, 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States behind only the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...

, which was first held in 1875. The show originated as a show for gun dog
Gun dog
thumb|right|A group of Gun dogs as printed in Dogs of All Nations by W.E. Mason in 1915Gun dogs, also gundogs or bird dogs, are types of dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually birds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: Retrievers, flushing dogs, and...

s, primarily Setter
Setter
The setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. A setter silently searches for game by scent. When prey is encountered the dog freezes rather than chasing after the game. Setters get their name from their distinctive stance; a sort of crouch...

s and Pointers, initiated by a group of hunting men who met regularly at the Westminster Hotel at Irving Place and Sixteenth Street in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...

. They decided to create a kennel club
Kennel club
A kennel club is an organization for canine affairs that concerns itself with the breeding, showing and promotion of more than one breed of dog...

 called the Westminster Kennel Club specifically for the purpose of holding a dog show. The prizes for these first shows included such items as pearl handled pistols, of use to the hunters and terriermen who worked these dogs in the field.

The first show took place in May 1877 at Gilmore's Gardens (the Hippodrome
New York Hippodrome
The Hippodrome Theatre, also called the New York Hippodrome, was a theatre in New York City from 1905 to 1939, located on Sixth Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan. It was called the world's largest theatre by its builders and had a seating capacity of...

). That show drew over 1200 dogs and proved so popular that its originally scheduled three days became four, with the club donating proceeds from that fourth day to the ASPCA for creation of a home for stray and disabled dogs.

The Westminster Kennel Club predates the formation of the American Kennel Club by seven years, and became the first club admitted to the AKC after AKC's founding in 1884. Breed parent clubs (e.g., the Afghan Hound Club of America) create the standards for judging their breeds, with the AKC administering the rules about shows and judging.

Dogs are judged against their breed standards, to see how close each dog matches the standard, which is a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed. Standards may include references relating form to function in the performance of the job that the dog was bred for, and may also include items that seem somewhat arbitrary such as color, eye shape, tail carriage and more. While many breeds no longer need to perform their original jobs and are bred mostly for companionship, they should still have the innate ability and physical makeup to perform those jobs, and this is what the judge looks for.

Because of space considerations at Madison Square Garden, the entry is limited to 2,500 dogs and fills immediately on the first day that entries are accepted. Since 1992, the club has invited the top five dogs in each breed to be pre-entered (determined by the number of dogs defeated at shows during the previous year) to assure that all the top dogs have the chance to compete.

Today, Westminster takes place over two days and nights every February. During the day, the dogs compete at the breed level (i.e., against other dogs of the same breed). Each Best of Breed winner (BOB) advances into its respective group, of which there are seven (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding). Group competition is held during the evenings, and the seven group winners advance into the final competition, which one judge will select one of them as the Best In Show winner.

Competition in Junior Showmanship (for handlers ages 8–18) has been held since 1934. The eight finalists all receive scholarships for post-secondary schooling. In addition, each year the club (through its Westminster Kennel Foundation) awards veterinary school scholarships for students from six schools.

The show has been broadcast on live television since 1948 and today is one of USA Network's highest-rated sports specials. The program typically airs on a Monday and Tuesday. The Monday night broadcast begins on the USA network and then switches over to CNBC due to the airing of WWE Monday Night Raw. In the past the WWE show would be preempted but that is no longer the case. At the Garden, it has enjoyed sellout status since 2005, as tickets sell quickly once they go on sale each Fall. Indicative of its amazing worldwide popularity, more than 700 press credentials are issued to media attending in person from more than 20 countries. In addition, each year the Westminster Web site (www.westminsterkennelclub.org) has millions of visitors from around the world (about 12 million page views by users from more than 170 countries).

The winning dog becomes "America's Dog" for the next year, and also becomes the world's newest single name celebrity. It begins its reign with a media tour on the day following the show with appearances on virtually all television network morning shows, a visit to the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building, and much more.

The event is embraced in New York City every February, with salutes from such world-famous partners as the Empire State Building, which lights its tower in purple and gold (Westminster colors) during the show; Saks 5th Avenue, which features a street window with a Westminster-themed display; and the New York Stock Exchange, which invites the winner to ring the opening bell following its big win.

Westminster's 135th Annual All Breed Dog Show was held on February 14–15, 2011, at Madison Square Garden and was broadcast live on USA Network and CNBC.

Requirements for entry

In 1884, the AKC began requiring that all dog participants be registered with the AKC and recognized for conformation show competition. In 2011, there are 179 breeds and varieties eligible for Westminster. This includes six new breeds: Boykin Spaniel, Bluetick Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Cane Corso, Leonberger, and Icelandic Sheepdog.

Because of the show's popularity and prestige, starting in 1992 the AKC limited entries by requiring that dogs must have already earned their breed Championship before appearing at Westminster.

There is no prohibition against a winner competing again in a future Westminster show. In fact, seven dogs have won multiple Westminster championships: six dogs in consecutive years (including one three-time champion) and one dog in non-consecutive years. Not since 1972, however, has there been a repeat winner. (See List of Best in Show winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.)

Winning breeds

Through the 134th Westminster Show (February 2010), Best in Show has been won by the Terrier Group
Terrier Group
Terrier Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. In general, a Terrier Group includes one particular type of dog, the Terrier, although other types may be included in a kennel club's Terrier Group...

 45 out of the 103 times that the prize has been awarded since 1907, more than twice as many wins as any other group. The single breed that has won the most is the Wire Fox Terrier, which has won 13 times. Two of the most popular dog breeds in the United States have never won Best in Show, the Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Canada, the United...

 and the Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...

. The 2010 winner of Best in Show was Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot
Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot
Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot , also known as Sadie, is a Scottish terrier from Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. She was named the 2010 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show...

(aka: "Sadie"), a Scottish Terrier
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...

. Sadie had already won 112 best-in-show ribbons at other shows.

In 2011, at the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 5-year-old GCH
Championship (dog)
Championships are awarded to dogs who have passed through a process of selection at dog shows. Traditionally, a championship was received at a conformation show, but championships are now offered for dogs who have attained a high degree of perfection in other dog sports as well.-The conformation...

 Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind , also known as Hickory, is a female Scottish Deerhound who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2011. She is the first of her breed to have won the title.- Biography :...

became the first of her breed (Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a breed of hound , once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.- Appearance :The Scottish Deerhound resembles a rough-coated Greyhound. It is however, larger in size and bone...

) to capture the Best in Show award.
  • Terrier Group
    Terrier Group
    Terrier Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. In general, a Terrier Group includes one particular type of dog, the Terrier, although other types may be included in a kennel club's Terrier Group...

    : 45
  • Sporting Group
    Sporting Group
    thumb|right|Sporting Group judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2010Sporting Group is the name of a breed group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. Not all kennel clubs include the same breeds in the Sporting Group, and some kennel clubs do...

    : 19
  • Working Group
    Working Group (dogs)
    Working Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. Most major English-language kennel clubs include a Working Group, although different kennel clubs may not include the same breeds in their Working Group. Working Group does not...

    : 15
  • Non-Sporting Group: 10
  • Toy Group
    Toy Group
    Toy Group is the name of a breed Group of the smallest kinds of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. Toy Group does not necessarily refer to one particular type of dog. Most major English-language kennel clubs include a Toy Group although different kennel clubs...

    : 9
  • Hound Group
    Hound Group
    Hound Group is the name of a breed group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds, and does not necessarily include all hound-type dogs...

    : 5
  • Herding Group
    Herding Group
    Herding Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. It does not refer to one particular type of dog. How the Herding Group is defined varies among kennel clubs, and different kennel clubs may not include the same breeds in their...

    : 1


The oldest dog to win Best in Show was a Sussex Spaniel
Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel is a breed of dog developed in Sussex in southern England. It is a low, compact spaniel and is similar in appearance to the Clumber Spaniel. They can be slow paced, but can have a clownish and energetic temperament...

 named Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee , also known as Stump, is a 50 lb. male Sussex Spaniel from Houston, Texas, who was named the 2009 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show...

(aka Stump), at 10 years of age in 2009. The youngest dog to win was a Rough Collie
Rough Collie
The Rough Collie is a long coated breed of medium to large size dog that in its original form was a type of collie used and bred for herding in Scotland. Originating in the 1800's, it is now well known through the works of author Albert Payson Terhune, and through the Lassie novel, movies, and...

 named Ch. Laund Loyalty of Bellhaven, at 9 months old in 1929. One dog, a Smooth Fox Terrier named Ch. Warren Remedy won Best in Show three times (1907–1909), and six other dogs have won twice. Dogs (males) have won Best in Show 68 times to 35 for bitches (females).

List of previous show winners and breeds

Following is a list of WKC Best in Show winners since 1990.
  • 2011: GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
    Foxcliffe Hickory Wind
    GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind , also known as Hickory, is a female Scottish Deerhound who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2011. She is the first of her breed to have won the title.- Biography :...

    (aka: "Hickory") - Scottish Deerhound
    Scottish Deerhound
    The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a breed of hound , once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.- Appearance :The Scottish Deerhound resembles a rough-coated Greyhound. It is however, larger in size and bone...

  • 2010: Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot
    Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot
    Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot , also known as Sadie, is a Scottish terrier from Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. She was named the 2010 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show...

    (aka: "Sadie") - Scottish Terrier
    Scottish Terrier
    The Scottish Terrier , popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and...

  • 2009: Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
    Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
    Ch. Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee , also known as Stump, is a 50 lb. male Sussex Spaniel from Houston, Texas, who was named the 2009 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show...

    (aka: "Stump") - Sussex Spaniel
    Sussex Spaniel
    The Sussex Spaniel is a breed of dog developed in Sussex in southern England. It is a low, compact spaniel and is similar in appearance to the Clumber Spaniel. They can be slow paced, but can have a clownish and energetic temperament...

  • 2008: Ch. K-Run's Park Me In First
    K-Run's Park Me In First
    Ch. K-Run's Park Me In First, aka "Uno" is a 15" beagle from Belleville, Illinois, who won Best in Show in the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club dog show...

    (aka: "Uno" ) - Beagle
    Beagle
    The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound, but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game...

  • 2007: Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim
    Felicity's Diamond Jim
    Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, CD, RE , an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog...

    (aka:"James" ) - English Springer Spaniel
    English Springer Spaniel
    The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is an affectionate, excitable breed with an average lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. Descended from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century, the breed has diverged into...

  • 2006: Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid (aka:"Rufus" ) - Colored Bull Terrier
    Bull Terrier
    The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes, and "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally fun-loving, active and clownish...

  • 2005: Ch. Kan-Point's VJK Autumn Roses (aka:"Carlee" ) - German Shorthaired Pointer
    German Shorthaired Pointer
    The German shorthaired pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and...

  • 2004: Ch. Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove (aka:"Josh" ) - Newfoundland
    Newfoundland (dog)
    The Newfoundland is a breed of large dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, or black and white. They were originally bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, now part of Canada. They are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions,...

  • 2003: Ch. Torums Scarf Michael (aka:"Mick" ) - Kerry Blue Terrier
    Kerry Blue Terrier
    The Kerry Blue Terrier is a breed of dog. Mistakenly thought to be from County Kerry in South West Ireland, it's actually from Tipperary in South Central Ireland. In Ireland it is often called the Irish Blue Terrier...

  • 2002: Ch. Surrey Spice Girl (aka:"Spice" ) - Miniature Poodle
  • 2001: Ch. Special Times Just Right (aka:"J.R." ) - Bichon Frise
    Bichon Frisé
    A Bichon Frise , is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese.-Etymology and History:...

  • 2000: Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless (aka:"Samantha" ) - English Springer Spaniel
    English Springer Spaniel
    The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is an affectionate, excitable breed with an average lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. Descended from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century, the breed has diverged into...

  • 1999: Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being
    Loteki Supernatural Being
    Ch. Loteki Supernatural Being also known as Kirby, a Papillon, best known for being the only dog to have won all three major international dog shows in the same year and being the oldest winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at eight years old, until his record was broken in 2009 by...

    (aka:"Kirby" ) - Papillon
    Papillon (dog)
    The papillon , also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a breed of dog of the Spaniel type. One of the oldest of the toy Spaniels, it derives its name from its characteristic butterfly-like look of the long and fringed hair on the ears. A papillon with dropped ears is called a phalène...

  • 1998: Ch. Fairewood Frolic (aka:"Rocki" ) - Norwich Terrier
    Norwich Terrier
    The Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog. It originates in the United Kingdom and was bred to hunt small vermin or rodents.-Appearance:These terriers are one of the smallest terriers , with prick ears and a double coat, which come in red, tan, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle.-Temperament:These...

  • 1997: Ch. Parsifal Di Casa Netzer - Standard Schnauzer
    Standard Schnauzer
    The Standard Schnauzer is the original breed of the three breeds of Schnauzer, and despite its wiry coat and general appearance, is not related to the British terriers. Rather, its origins are in old herding and guard breeds of Europe. Generally classified as a working or utility dog, this...

  • 1996: Ch. Clussexx Country Sunrise (aka:"Brady" ) - Clumber Spaniel
    Clumber Spaniel
    The Clumber Spaniel is a breed of dog of the spaniel type, developed in the United Kingdom. It is the largest of the spaniels, and comes in predominantly one colour. The name of the breed is taken from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. It is a gundog that specialises in hunting in heavy cover. They...

  • 1995: Ch. Gaelforce Post Script (aka:"Peggy Sue" ) - Scottish Terrier
  • 1994: Ch. Chidley Willum The Conqueror - Norwich Terrier
    Norwich Terrier
    The Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog. It originates in the United Kingdom and was bred to hunt small vermin or rodents.-Appearance:These terriers are one of the smallest terriers , with prick ears and a double coat, which come in red, tan, wheaten, black and tan, and grizzle.-Temperament:These...

  • 1993: Ch. Salilyn's Condor (aka:"Robert" ) - English Springer Spaniel
    English Springer Spaniel
    The English Springer Spaniel is a breed of gun dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is an affectionate, excitable breed with an average lifespan of twelve to fourteen years. Descended from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century, the breed has diverged into...

  • 1992: Ch. Registry's Lonesome Dove (aka:"Lacey" ) - Wire Fox Terrier
  • 1991: Ch. Whisperwind On A Carousel (aka:"Peter" ) - Standard Poodle
  • 1990: Ch. Wendessa Crown Prince - Pekingese
    Pekingese
    The Pekingese, or "Peke" is an ancient breed of toy dog, originating in China. The breed was favored by the Chinese Imperial court, and its name refers to the city of Beijing where the Forbidden City resides...


Popular culture

  • The 2000 comedy film Best In Show
    Best in Show (film)
    Best in Show is a 2000 independent film that follows five entrants in a prestigious dog show. The film focuses on the slightly surreal interactions among the various owners and handlers as they travel to the show and compete. Much of the dialogue was improvised.Christopher Guest directed; he also...

    takes place at the fictional "Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show", based in part on Westminster.

  • Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
    Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
    Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog is a character puppet best known for mocking celebrities. Triumph was identified in the early appearances as a Yugoslavian Mountain Hound, hence his distinct Eastern European accent . As his name indicates, Triumph's comedic style is almost exclusively insult comedy...

     has used the setting of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show three times in his skits.

See also

  • Crufts
    Crufts
    Crufts is an annual international Championship conformation show for dogs organised and hosted by the Kennel Club, currently held every March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It is the largest annual dog show in the world, as declared by Guinness World Records, and lasts...

  • List of Best in Show winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
  • World Dog Show
    World Dog Show
    The World Dog Show is a Fédération Cynologique Internationale-sanctioned international dog show, held yearly since 1971. The World Show includes agility, obedience, junior handler, conformation, and other events and demonstrations. International championships for many events are awarded at the...


Additional sources

  • Westminster show history
  • Barnes, Duncan (ed.) (1983). The AKC's World of the Pure-Bred Dog. Nick Lyons Books. ISBN 0-87605-406-8.
  • Sifel, William F. (2001). The Dog Show: 125 Years of Westminster. By William F. Stifel. ISBN 0-9705698-0-7
  • Frei, David (ed.) (2010). The Westminster Kennel Club Guidebook. Latest edition of annual publication.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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