Established in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club is the oldest club dedicated to dogs. The Westminster Dog Show began on May 8, 1877, and television filming of this prestigious dog show began in 1948. It is the second-longest-running sporting event and the longest nationally televised live dog show. The number-one event is the Kentucky Derby, which began in 1875.
The Westminster Dog Show switched back to a Champions-only competition. To compete, a dog must qualify with 15 points to win the title of “Champion.” Points accumulate at AKC-sanctioned dog shows over a period of time. Many people think “show dogs” are always all business and on display. It surprised a few viewers when they acted like regular dogs on the sidelines.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was running circles around its handler, knocking them off-balance at one point. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was lying calmly, getting some relaxing scritches. After each had some belly rubs, the Weimaraner and the Vizsla had an impromptu wrestling match. The Tibetan Mastiff was getting feisty, snatching treats while adding extra training time. The Great Pyrenees was busy playing patty-paws with its petite handler. After that, they seemed to be playing “I got your nose.”
Handlers use every trick to keep their dogs calm during a show. For some breeds, that is a simple belly rub. For others, it might be a playful wrestling match with a neighboring dog.
All Dogs At The Westminster Dog Show Are Champions
Westminster Week includes several different shows and almost 3,000 dogs of all breeds from around the world. The annual Westminster Dog Show is a conformation competition. A conformation show judges each dog on how it conforms to the “ideal specimen” for that breed. A miniature dachshund might compete alongside a Great Dane. Judging is by how it conforms to its breed rather than by comparison.
Once a dog achieves a champion ranking, they can enter the Westminster Dog Show. The week also includes two additional events: the Masters Agility Championship and the Masters Obedience Championship. Both Masters programs permit dogs from any background to compete.
It is no secret that show dogs spend hours training with their handler every day. But when it is time for them to “let their hair down,” they are just like any “regular” dog. They love playtime, cuddles, scritches, and belly rubs. Handlers will use these activities to reduce their dog’s anxiety levels.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the prestigious Westminster Dog Show and watching the dogs “let loose” on the sidelines.
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