The 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Part Two
Established in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs.
The club's annual show runs for three-days to accommodate all the dogs that compete. The first day kicks off with the Annual Masters Agility Championship, where performance dogs climb, jump, weave, and sprint their way through a series of course obstacles. The next two days are dedicated to breed competitions. Dogs are exhibited in seven different groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. The groups include Herding, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hounds, Terriers, and Toy breeds. Breeds are evaluated based on their standard, meaning competing dogs aren't compared to other competitors, but to the ideal proportions, weight and size, head shape, gait and other qualities of the breed. The last event on the third night is "Best in Show."
Here are more photos, enjoy.
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- In 1876, the members of the Westminster Club commissioned one of its officials to find a stud Pointer. A stunning dog named “Don” was chosen. He won his bench championship in England and then later in the United States. He was a handsome lemon and white dog, with a fine head and especially good body. He was renamed and registered as “Sensation.” In 1935, artist J. Wellstood drew the whole dog, with a light lemon patch on its side, frozen in point. The artist had caught the magnificently bodied dog in great detail. The muscles and even the veins of the legs stood out. “Sensation” has since been the Westminster Kennel Club mascot.
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- Here are the rings still empty on the morning of the second day of breed competitions. Breed competitions start at 9am sharp. Thankfully, the weather was quite favorable with highs in the 70s.
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- Heavy drooling breeds wear bibs to keep their coats pristine before going into the ring. This is a Landseer Newfoundland. The Landseer has a white base coat with black markings. Typically, the head is solid black, or black with white on the muzzle, with or without a blaze.
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- The Vizsla is a Hungarian hunting dog. Its name means “searcher” or “tracker” and is easily recognized by its sleek golden-rust coat. These rugged but elegant athletes have been the pride of Hungarian sportsmen for centuries, and are growing more popular here in the United States.
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- The Leonberger is a giant dog breed, whose name derives from the city of Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has a medium-long waterproof coat, lush triangular ears, a bushy tail, and a black face-mask that frames its dark-brown eyes.
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- The Curly-Coated Retriever was originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body.
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- The Cocker is the American Kennel Club’s smallest sporting spaniel, standing about 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. The coat comes in several colors and patterns – this one is buff-colored and considered part of the A.S.C.O.B. variety meaning any solid color other than black. The ears are gently wrapped to keep them well-groomed and clean until they go into the ring.
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- This variety is called the parti-color. A Cocker Spaniel in full coat needs extra grooming time, but they are also energetic sporting dogs and love playing and going out for brisk walks.
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- Here is a black Newfoundland. Newfies can also be solid brown. The massive Newfoundland is a powerful working dog of heavy bone, but also sweet-tempered and great with children.
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- One of this year’s new breeds is the Dogo Argentino. It is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar. This breed also exhibits steadfast bravery and willingly protects its human companions.
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- Even lying down ringside, I am sure you will recognize this breed – the Golden Retriever – the Scottish gun dog stands among America’s most popular dog breeds. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue. They excel at obedience and other competitive events and have an endearing love of life when not at work.
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- Another sporting dog is the handsome German Shorthaired pointer. The versatile, medium-sized German Shorthaired Pointer is an enthusiastic gun dog of all trades who thrives on vigorous exercise, positive training, and a lot of love. Draped in a cooling robe, this dog is waiting for its turn in the ring.
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- Poodles come in three size varieties: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. This Toy Poodle is shown in the sporting clip where its coat is shorn to follow the outline of the squarely built, smoothly muscled body.
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- Dogs love their toys – these two held onto their matching hedgehog toys until they were ready to show. The Spinone Italiano, a densely-coated hunting dog, is sociable, docile, and patient, sometimes stubborn but always endearing.
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- The Akita is a large breed originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan. In their native land, they are venerated as family protectors and symbols of good health, happiness, and long life. Akitas have a dense coat that comes in several colors, including white.
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- The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type dogs from the Swiss Alps. Bred from crosses of Mastiffs and guard-type breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs were brought to Switzerland by the Romans 2000 years ago. The thick, silky, and moderately long coat is tricolored: jet black, clear white, and rust.
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- By late morning, it was time for my friend Ari Katz’s dog to head into the ring. This is his Labrador Retriever, CH Gallivant Roundabout, call name “Kima.” The judge looks at bone structure and stance, and compares each dog against the parameters of the idealized version of its breed standard. Kima’s handler is Julie Romeo.
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- Here is Kima going around the ring. The purpose of breed conformation shows is to evaluate breeding stock. Judges select winners based on their ability to contribute and improve the next generation of dogs. Kima is an excellent example of a true Labrador Retriever.
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- This class of Labradors was very big – 41 Labs competed. Kima did not win the breed competition, but she did get an Award of Merit. At the discretion of the judge at Westminster, an Award of Merit may be made to outstanding entries that are not judged Best of Breed, Best Opposite or Champion Select. And Kima is still a youngster. We’re all so proud of Ari and his dogs. Please go to his web site AKLabradors to learn more about his kennel and his dogs.
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- This is a Siberian Husky – staying cool in front of a fan. The Husky is a thickly coated, compact sled dog of medium size and great endurance. It was developed to work in packs, pulling light loads at moderate speeds over vast frozen expanses. This northern breed is friendly, fastidious, and dignified.
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- The Boxer has been one of the country’s most popular breeds for years. These dogs are loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and beautiful. Its temperament is bright and alert, sometimes silly, but always courageous.
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- A well-bred Giant Schnauzer closely resembles the Standard Schnauzer – it’s only bigger. The double coat is either solid black or “pepper and salt” with males standing as high as 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing about 95 pounds.
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- Bull Terriers are robust, big-boned terriers. The breed’s hallmark is a long, egg-shaped head with erect and pointed ears, and small, triangular eyes.
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- And this is the Portuguese Water Dog – a robust, medium-sized dog covered by a coat of tight, low-shedding curls. These dogs are eager and athletic companions built for water work. The breed can be groomed in two styles: the retriever clip, where the entire coat is clipped to one inch in length, with the tail tip at full length, or this lion clip, where the coat on the hindquarters and muzzle is clipped down to the skin.
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- After the breed winners are chosen, they are photographed with their judge. If you’re ever in the New York City area when this show is on, try to catch it. It’s a great event for the entire family. And next year, the show will be back in Manhattan January 24 through 26.
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- I always enjoy attending the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – not just to see the dogs compete, but to learn all about their special characteristics and care. Here I am with Ari at the “Best in Show” competition. It was so much fun and a well-organized event.
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