Facts Behind The Westminster Dog Show

June 19th, 2008 · No Comments

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Since 1887, The Westminster Kennel Club has lead the way as the premier dog show competition in the united states. Originally a way for hunters to showcase their “Gun dogs” (Mostly pointers and setters), the Westminster Dog show has become a world renowned competition, where the best of each breed compete for the title of “Best in Show.”

As the largest all-dog breed show in the world, the Westminster Dog Show has become a national event, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch as the dogs are lead by their handlers (trainers chosen by the dog owner to lead the dogs through the competitions), examined by the judges, and ultimately narrowed down to the single best dog at the show.

Dogs are judged based on their resemblance to a “breed standard” – a series of numbers that judges use to rate dogs, including size, gait, color and symmetry. Different breeds have different standards, and while some of the breed choices are subjective, the judges do their best to match the breeds against the pre-written parameters, according to those provided by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

Each dog starts out with others of its breed. These dogs are judged separately and narrowed down until a “Best in Breed” is chosen.

Once the best dog of each breed has been chosen, they are placed in their appropriate groups according to the type of dog they fall under. There are seven groups. These groups are:

1)    The Hound Group
2)    The Terrier Group
3)    The Non-Sporting Group
4)    The Herding Group
5)    The Sporting Group
6)    The Working Group
7)    The Toy Group

Each Group is judged individually. The top 4 of each group are selected for an additional judging, and the “Best In Group” is chosen to move on to the final round.

During the final round, the judges reconvene to judge each of the dogs that were named Best in Group, and from those dogs, a “Best in Show” is chosen.

Since the show began, its popularity has increased with each passing year. In 2008, a Beagle won Best in Show for the first time in Westminster history, and the story made national news, appearing on the front page of the New York Times and on other newspapers across the country.

While the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show may not appeal to everyone, it has still become one of the favorite activities for dog owners and dog lovers across the nation.