Westminster Dog Show Opens in New York City

February 16, 2010 | By Zootoo Pet News Staff

Canines claimed center stage in New York City today as the 134th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opened at Madison Square Garden for its two-day run. Representing more than 150 breeds, the elite entrants included over 2500 individual dogs, ranging from the affable Affenpinscher to the toy Yorkshire Terrier.

This year’s competition also marked the debut of three new breeds: the Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund, and the Pyrenean Shepherd.

Six simultaneous show rings filled the main floor of Madison Square Garden’s arena during the day, as judges evaluated the 92 breeds comprising the four Groups of Day One’s competition: Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding.

Behind the scenes, spectators flooded the backstage area to meet some of the canine celebrities and to glimpse groomers giving dogs finishing touches.

Because the Westminster Dog Show is a benched show, all dogs must be present in the backstage area throughout the day to greet their fans—although many pooches passed the time napping in their crates, exhausted from the glare of the spotlight.

The daytime events concluded with the preliminary rounds of the Junior Showmanship Judging. This perennial favorite, which gives young handlers the opportunity to hone their skills, included over 100 entries this year. The four finalists, showing breeds as varied as beagles and whippets, will face off before Day Two’s evening program.

Monday evening’s judging competition featured the best of the day’s breeds as the dogs strutted their stuff in the main ring one more time to beat out the competitors in their respective groups.

The 28 breeds of the Hound Group took the stage first to kick off the competition. Whether by scent or by sight, underground or in the water, the ability to track and hunt characterizes all of these breeds. Hound Group Judge W. Everett Dean, Jr. selected the Whippet for the number one spot and chose the Greyhound, the reputed fan favorite, for second place.

The diminutive charm of the Toy Group elicited a warm response from the crowd as the 23 competing breed winners entered the ring next. Although small in size, the Toys commanded a large presence. From a tough pool of entrants, Judge Shirley D. Limoges chose the Toy Poodle as the top dog in the Group.

After the judging of the Toy Group, the Westminster Kennel Club honored The Seeing Eye, its 2010 philanthropic partner and the oldest existing dog guide school in the world, currently celebrating its 80th anniversary. Proceeds from the sale of this year’s Westminster commemorative poster will be donated to The Seeing Eye.

The evening’s competition swung back into action with the judging of the Non-Sporting Group, designated for breeds that have outlasted their original purpose. Although both the Bulldog and the French Bulldog were overwhelming crowd favorites in the category, Judge Dorothy A. Dalton bestowed the Best in Group title on the French Bulldog.

The judging of the Herding Group closed out the evening’s program. Judge Linda C. More evaluated the 23 breeds, including two of the new breeds in 2010, the Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd. Last year’s winner in the Group, the Puli, claimed the top spot once again, and the Belgian Sheepdog secured second place.

These winners will barely have time to rest on their laurels and enjoy some well-deserved pampering before they head back into competition. After Day Two’s judging concludes, all four dogs will face off against the Best of the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups for Westminster’s ultimate title: Best in Show.

Source: http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/westminsterdogshowopensinnewyo-1519