The 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Part One
A three-year old Pekinese named “Wasabi” is this year’s top dog, after winning “Best in Show” at the 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Over the weekend, more than 2500 dogs representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 10 additional countries competed for top honors. This year, there were 209 breeds and varieties including four newly eligible breeds - the Barbet, the Biewer terrier, the Belgian Laekenois, and the Dogo Argentino. And for the first time ever, because of the pandemic, the show moved from New York City's famous Madison Square Garden to the grounds of the 67-acre Lyndhurst Mansion in nearby Tarrytown. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a wonderful way to learn about the many different types of dogs. I enjoy going to this show every year, especially when my own dogs or their relatives, and dogs I know, are competing.
Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing lots of fun photos from the show - enjoy.
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- The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show launched in 1877 and is now one of the longest continuously running American sporting events, second only to the Kentucky Derby. This year, the show was held outdoors and with a much smaller crowd – no spectators or vendors were allowed due to COVID-19 regulations. This large tent was reserved for the nighttime group and “Best in Show” competitions.
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- The breed shows happen in large rings, where the dogs are walked around to display their gaits and overall appearance. Here at Lyndhurst, there were a total of eight rings, and each breed class is scheduled a time to compete during the day.
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- The Pointer’s name define’s its job – to point game birds for its hunter. The dog’s coat comes in several colors, solid or in patterns. A large male can stand 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 75 pounds, while a small female might weigh as little as 45 pounds and stand 23 inches.
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- Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese Crested Dog comes in two varieties, with and without hair, which can be born in the same litter. This trio is already very excited to get out and show.
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- This is an Old English Sheepdog – a large breed of dog famous for its profuse coat and peak-a-boo hairdo. All the dogs are groomed before their scheduled class is called to show – some require more grooming than others.
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- Among the world’s oldest breeds is the slim but rugged Saluki – the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase, but they’re also gentle, dignified, and loyal pets.
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- Which end is up? This breed is called a Puli, a small-medium breed of Hungarian herding and livestock guarding dog known for its long, corded coat. The tight curls appear similar to dreadlocks and can weigh several pounds.
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- I am quite fond of the Keeshond – I once had one of my own. This is a medium-sized sturdy breed that is smart and eager to learn.
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- Tipping the scales at no more than 12 pounds, the Brussels Griffon is smart, devoted, and comically self-important. This breed come in four colors including red, black-and-reddish-brown, black and tan, and black. It also comes in this smooth coats, or in a rough coats.
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- The dogs do not compete against each other, but against the standard of the breed – the dog’s ideal description for appearance, movement, and temperament described by the breed’s parent club. These Bearded Collies may all look the same, but to the judge’s discerning eye, each one is very different.
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- In the ring, the dogs are asked to line up in a stack, so the judge can easily walk by each one and assess its appearance. I am sure you recognize this breed – the French Bulldogs.
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- Small dogs are placed on a table where the handler can easily set them up for closer inspection by the breed judge.
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- Here is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the red and white colored variety called Blenheim. Its ears are lightly wrapped to keep them well-groomed before entering the ring.
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- And here is Talosa, the sister to my dear Empress Qin. She is four years old now and loves to show. I am always excited to see the Chow Chow competition.
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- Here is Buddakan – my late G.K.’s son. He is a gorgeous specimen of the breed, and currently one of the top Chows in the country.
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- Buddakan won “Champion Select” – or second place to the breed winner.
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- And Talosa took “Best of Opposite” – meaning, because the winning Chow was a male dog, they also award the best female. In the end, both Buddakan and Talosa did a great job. Tolosa and Buddakan are bred by Karen Tracy of Pazzazz Kennels.
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- Borzois are large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the Afghan hound, Saluki, and the Kyrgyz Taigan. Borzois can generally be described as “long-haired greyhounds”. Borzois come in virtually any color. The coat is silky and flat, often wavy or slightly curly.
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- This is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an all-purpose “Renaissance hound” whose distinctive mark is the ridge, or stripe of backward-growing hair, on its back. Though the breed was made famous in its native Africa for its skill at tracking and baying – but never, ever killing – lions, today Ridgebacks are cherished family dogs whose owners must be prepared to deal with their independence and strong prey drive.
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- Slightly bigger than the Cocker Spaniel is the English Springer Spaniel. The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and intelligence. This Springer is waiting for his time in the ring wearing his purple robe made by Dog Robes.
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- The elegant, agile Belgian Tervuren is a bright and self-assured herding dog of medium size. The Belgian Tervuren is characterized by a straight and abundant coat, an elegant but muscular frame, and an alert and intelligent demeanor.
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- Juniors are also invited to enter if they have been awarded Best Junior Handler at a number of member shows the previous year and who are at least nine years old and under 18. These talented handlers come from across the country to be judged on their dog handling skills.
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- Here is another junior with her lovable Bloodhound. The Bloodhound is a large scent hound, originally bred for hunting deer, wild boar and, since the Middle Ages, for tracking missing persons. Believed to be descended from hounds once kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, Belgium, it is known to French speakers as le chien de Saint-Hubert.
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- In the end, all these dogs are loved members of their families and alway go home winners. When thinking about sharing your home with a dog, always do your homework first and read as much as possible about the breeds and breed mixes that interest you.
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- Here is the statue of “Sensation” – a gorgeous Pointer and the Westminster Kennel Club mascot. I’ll share more photos from the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in my next blog – stay tuned.
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