The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an all dog breed show, judging only purebreds. Until last year, the show was hosted in New York City but was moved outdoors to Tarrytown, New York due to the pandemic.
During the show, dogs are required to stay in their assigned location and only allowed to move when walking in the ring, groomed for showtime, or eliminated. This allows the judges to see the eligible dogs.
The show began on May 8, 1877, as a show for gun dogs, launched by a group of hunters. The hunters hung out at the Westminster Hotel in Manhattan so they created a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show specifically to hold dog shows. The first show drew in over a thousand dogs and the proceeds were donated to ASPCA, an organization that creates homes for stray and disabled dogs.
Dogs are judged based on how closely alike they are to a description of the ideal specimen of the specific breed. Although most breeds are no longer bred for their “old” jobs and just for companionship, they are still judged based on their original jobs and physical looks.
Currently, the show is hosted in June for two days and two nights. The day consists of dogs competing against the same breed as themselves, and the winner of the day levels up to the Group level. In this level, there are seven groups which compete at night. The group winners are promoted to Best in Show round, the final round. In this round, hosted at Madison Square Garden, the judges will decide the winner at this time. The dog chosen is awarded the title of “America’s Dog” for the next year. This title invites the winner on most television morning shows, the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building, and the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell.
Unfortunately, there are also controversies to this event. The animal organization PETA argues that the celebration of strictly purebreds in this famous show is one of the reasons there are millions of non-purebred dogs that end up to die in shelters each year.
As June comes around, don't forget to watch, but as you tune in, keep in mind the adorable non purebred pets that are prohibited to compete.
Comments