Today, the Westminster dog show is not just for hunting dogs, but includes all kinds of different breeds and has turned its focus from working dog's performance in the field, to it's appearance as well. The Westminster Dog Show is now in its 132th year, and only champions, which are vetted through a series of lesser contests, are allowed to participate in the Nobel prize of the canine world.
The first Westminster dog show was held in 1877 when a group of hunters decided to get together at the Westminster Hotel in Manhattan to compare their purebred dogs, and it eventually grew over time to what it is today. The Westminster Dog Show features different breeds of dogs and their owners performing in a nerve-racking competition that's as intense as it is old.
Every February, thousands of AKC dogs and their exhibitors make their way into Madison Square Garden for two intensive days of showing that, when all the barking is over, will crown the best dog in the country. Dogs are judged on their general appearance, condition and carriage, with special attention being paid to the dog's head (including the eyes, ears, skull and muzzle).
Until 1992, this event was a full show, meaning all classes were included from dog and bitch competition for Winners, to Best of Breed, Group, and Best In Show. From 1992 onward, only the creme de la creme of the dog world were deemed eligible for the greatest show in the country, and entries were limited to finished champions as mentioned earlier.
Currently, the show is limited to a total entry of 2,622 champions in all from over 165 AKC recognized dog breeds. When not being groomed, exercised or shown, all dogs are to be displayed in their assigned bench spot, this gives the public aisle upon aisle of the best purebred dogs in the country to view. It also gives the public the chance to connect with breeders, most of whom are only too happy to share their knowledge of all things dog, and in particular, the wonderful attributes of their breed. In the past, this show was extended to a four day event due to it's immense popularity with the public and exhibitors alike, but currently the show has been packed into two full days of dog showing.
Presently, all dog breeds are divided into one of seven groups, including: Toys,Non-Sporting,Sporting,Working,Herding,Terrier, and Hound. Although it may appear that dogs of different breeds are competing with each other, it is actually the judge's job to choose which of the dogs is the best representative of their breed standard. The dog who is the most turned on, moving energetically and totally in tune with his handler can't help but catch the judges eye, and usually winds up with a Group first placement.
With the awarding of the Group 1 placements, the field of over 2,500 deserving champions is narrowed down to the top 7, and from this elite company the highly coveted Best In Show dog is selected, and after a few moments of excruciating suspense, the judge presents the winning dog/handler team with a huge BIS rosette ribbon, and the Westminster show trophy.
The Westminster dog show is still the greatest dog show on earth, and undoubtedly the most famous of all American shows. Are you aware that the anniversary of the first Westminster Dog Show is May 8th. Can I just say that watching the Westminster Dog show is in my top 5 sporting events every year, including Olympic years.
The Westminster dog show is comming on TV next week (on the cable channel USA) And will be aired tomorrow and Tuesday night. Westminster Dog Show tickets are available, and this event is a tradition that dates back longer than almost every other sporting event in the United States. Although a few corporate sponsored shows have tried to usurp the Westminster Kennel Club dog show of it's pride of place in recent years, for true dog show aficionados, this show is, and always will be, the Holy Grail of all dog shows.
Below is The Television Schedule For The Event :
Monday, February 11
Live Telecast:
Monday, Feb 11 (8-9 PM Live ET / 5-6 PM PT) on USA Network
Continuing Live Telecast:
Monday, Feb 11 (9-11 PM Live ET / 6-8 PM PT) on CNBC
Best of Group Competitions will be judged in the following order:
- Working
- Terrier
- Toy
- Non-Sporting
Tuesday, February 12
Live Telecast:
Tuesday, Feb 12 (8-11 PM Live ET / 5-8 PM PT) on USA Network
Best of Group Competitions will be judged in the following order:
- Sporting
- Hound
- Herding
Followed by Best In Show Judging
Article Written By J. Foley
The Westminster Dog Show
A bench chain is just what its name implies - used to chain a dog to the bench, snapping onto the ring in the collar and to the ring provided for that purpose on the bench. When fastening the dog to the bench, be sure to leave enough chain so that the dog can lie down but not long enough to allow him to jump off the bench, as he could possibly hang himself.
You will also need a show lead. A show lead is usually much finer than the leads used for walking a dog. Before purchasing a show lead, find out what type is used by the successful exhibitors in your breed. In some breeds the dogs are exhibited on the same chain collar used for benching with a fine leather snap-on lead attached to it.
In some breeds the exhibitors prefer leather one-piece leads. I say leather, but this type one-piece show lead is made up in whalehide, lacing, nylon belting, and many other materials. In the toy breeds some exhibitors use a nylon string, which is no heavier than the lead of a pencil. Terriers are almost always shown on a leather collar and lead.
You will need a sponge, and if you have a liking for the synthetic ones, they will do very nicely. You will want to take along a towel an - old one will do. Your dog will have been bathed before being brought to the show, if he is of a breed that requires bathing, but if he becomes carsick and drools over himself, or if he walks through a puddle and then through dust or dirt, the sponge and towel will help you clean him before taking him into the ring.
If you are sure that you have done every necessary bit of trimming at home perhaps it will not be necessary to carry trimming tools with you. However, a great many people find it advisable to carry with them at least a few trimming tools for those last-minute repairs. A pair of scissors, perhaps a small stripping knife, and any other one or two tools you are fond of for trimming in your breed may come in handy. A comb and brush are necessities, and will be very welcome just before you go into the ring.
A good crate is optional. It may have one or two drawers I which you can transport the above equipment. Your crate should be a wooden one which is well ventilated with holes or openings close to the top in order to let out the heat. I believe the wooden crates are superior to the aluminum ones for show purposes.
The first few times a dog rides to a show in a crate it is wise to line the floor of the crate with newspapers and then tear some newspapers in strips on top of the lining. If the dog gets carsick you can empty all the papers at one time.
The torn strips will help keep the dog clean until you get to your destination. Because of their small size they tend to cover over any moisture or soil. Later on you will probably line the floor of the crate with an old turkish towel. Newspaper has the one disadvantage of leaving smudges on a light-colored dog
.
With the above equipment you are ready for your first dog show. Good luck!
Both John Foley & Jimmy Cox are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Foley has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Article Written By J. Foley. John Foley's top article . to your Favourites.
Jimmy Cox has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Horse Racing and Investments. Discover The Amazing Secrets Of A Master Dog Grooming School!Click here for FREE online Ebook
Army Ranks And Pay Sign up for our 8220Marketing Insight8221 ezine and be the first to view it.
