Introduction
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the longest-running and most famous dog shows worldwide. It has taken place annually in New York City since 1877, making it the second oldest continuous sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby (Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show). The first Westminster show was originally a one-day bench show for gun dogs like Setters and Pointers, held at Gilmore’s Garden (which later became Madison Square Garden) (Club History). It has since grown into a major multi-day event open to all AKC-recognized breeds.
The Westminster Dog Show is hosted each year in February at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. The 2023 show will take place on February 13-14. It draws thousands of dogs representing over 200 breeds and varieties, making it one of the largest dog shows in the United States (Historical Highlights). The Best in Show winner is awarded the coveted title of “America’s Dog” for the year.
Best in Show
The Best in Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show is awarded to the single dog judged to be the finest example of its breed at the show. It is the highest award a dog can receive at Westminster.
Winning Best in Show is an enormous accomplishment. The Westminster Dog Show spans three days, with nearly 3,000 dogs competing across over 200 breeds. Only the winning dog from each breed group – Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding – advances to compete for Best in Show.
The winner of Best in Show receives fame, glory, and a trophy. Some of the most notable Best in Show winners at Westminster include:
- Ch. Warren Remedy in 2007, 2010, and 2012 – the most successful Westminster winner, earning Best in Show 3 times
- Josh the Newfoundland in 2021 – the first time the breed had ever won Best in Show
- Rumor the German Shepherd in 2017 – only the second time the breed had won Best in Show
Dogs are judged on how closely they match the ideal standards for their breed in areas like structure, gait, coat, temperament and more. The Best in Show is selected through several rounds of competition judged by experts certified by the American Kennel Club. It is an enormous achievement to be named the single best dog out of thousands at one of the world’s most prestigious dog shows.
Groups & Breeds
The Westminster Dog Show divides breeds into seven different groups. The groups give structure to the judging and allow dogs to compete against others of similar breeds and types. The seven groups are Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding.
Some of the most popular breeds entered in Westminster in 2023 include the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever in the Sporting Group, the Beagle, Dachshund, and Whippet in the Hound Group, the Rottweiler and Boxer in the Working Group, the Yorkshire Terrier and Pomeranian in the Toy Group, the Bulldog and Poodle in the Non-Sporting Group, and the Shetland Sheepdog and Pembroke Welsh Corgi in the Herding Group (source).
The Terrier Group tends to be a fan favorite, with breeds like the Wire Fox Terrier, Scottish Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier. Terriers have won Best in Show at Westminster more than any other group.
New Breeds
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show features new breeds each year that become eligible to enter the competition. In 2023, there are three new AKC-recognized breeds that will be making their Westminster debut:
The Bracco Italiano is an ancient Italian bird hunting dog known for its strong hunting instinct, athletic build, and talent for pointing and retrieving. This loyal and affectionate breed has a stunning appearance with its short coat that can be white with orange or brown markings.
The Russian Toy is a small companion breed that comes in both smooth-haired and longhaired varieties. Playful, lively, and intelligent, these little dogs weigh 5-6 pounds and make devoted family pets. The Russian Toy charms everyone with its alert expression and lively, bouncing gait.
The Mudi is an energetic Hungarian herding dog known for its versatility, athleticism, protectiveness, and eagerness to work. With its weatherproof coat, angular build, and alert, intelligent expression, the Mudi is an excellent all-purpose farm dog and family companion.
It will be exciting to see these new breeds make their Westminster debut in 2023 at Madison Square Garden!
Judging Process
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show follows a multi-tiered judging system to determine the Best in Show winner. It begins with breed judging, where dogs first compete against others of the same breed for Best of Breed. Once chosen, group judging begins where Best of Breed winners in one of the seven groups compete against each other for Best in Group. Finally, the seven Best in Group winners advance to final Best in Show judging to determine the top dog.
During breed judging, dogs are judged against the breed standard as described by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Judges examine each dog’s physical characteristics and temperament to determine how closely they match the ideal for that breed. Dogs must compete in their specific breed and gender class first, like Sporting Group or Hound Group, before advancing to Best of Breed. The single dog winner from each breed then moves to group judging.
In the group competition, Best of Breed winners are judged solely against the other dogs within their respective group to determine a single Best in Group winner. Groups include Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding breeds. The group winners are now eligible for Best in Show judging.
The seven group winners finally compete against each other for the highest award of Best in Show. The judge subjectively selects the single dog that best represents the breed standard and exemplifies the ideal specimen. After a thorough examination, the Best in Show dog is chosen as the top dog of the Westminster Dog Show.
Throughout judging, the most critical factor is how closely each dog compares to the written standard of their breed. Judges use their extensive knowledge and experience with dog breeds to evaluate dogs based on soundness, structure, movement, overall health and temperament. While subjective, the multi-stage process allows dogs multiple chances to showcase their merits.
Notable Dogs
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has seen many notable dogs take home the Best in Show title over the years. The Smooth Fox Terrier has won Best in Show at Westminster more times than any other breed, with 14 wins as of 2020 (List of Best in Show winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show). Some of the most famous Smooth Fox Terrier winners include Ch. Warren Remedy in 1907, Ch. Sabine Rarebit in 1913, and Ch. Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace of Blakeen in 1959.
Other popular breeds at Westminster include the Scottish Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier, each with 8 Best in Show wins. Heartwarming stories abound of underdog competitors rising to take the top honor, such as Stump the Sussex Spaniel in 2009. Stump was the oldest dog to ever win Best in Show at 10 years old and came out of retirement for one last show (Westminster Best in Show Winners 2008 to 2023).
While the title brings prestige, many Westminster competitors simply revel in the joy of competing and connecting with fellow dog lovers. The Westminster Dog Show offers the chance for breeds of all kinds to shine in the national spotlight.
Behind the Scenes
What happens outside the ring at Westminster is just as intense as the competition itself. Handlers spend hours bathing, grooming, and primping their dogs to look picture perfect before going before the judges. The grooming area at Westminster resembles a salon, with tables, blow dryers, scissors, combs, and all manner of products to get dogs looking their absolute best.
Professional handlers are often hired to show the dogs, as they are experts in presenting each breed to highlight their ideal characteristics and hide any flaws. Handlers will run dogs around rings beforehand to get them comfortable and acquainted with the environment. Backstage is abuzz with nervous energy as owners and handlers anxiously await their time in the ring.
Transporting dogs in and out of the busy Manhattan venue is a major logistical challenge. Dogs typically arrive in vans and handlers must navigate crowded paths between the grooming area, benching area, and show rings. Westminster staff and volunteers work hard behind-the-scenes to ensure the event runs smoothly.
According to this CNN article, over 300 staff and volunteers help set up equipment, coordinate television coverage, provide veterinary care, handle administrative tasks, and more at Westminster.
TV Coverage
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will air across FOX Sports networks from May 9-10, 2023. The prestigious dog show takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
On Tuesday, May 9th, FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will provide live coverage of Breed Judging and Junior Showmanship Preliminaries from 1-4 PM ET. Then FS1 will air Group Judging from 7:30-11 PM ET, determining the finalists for Best in Show.
The main event airs on Wednesday, May 10th on FOX from 8-11 PM ET, featuring the Best in Show competition. Pre-show coverage by FOX begins at 7:30 PM ET.
Viewers can also stream the Westminster Dog Show live on FOX Sports and FOX NOW apps.
Announcers and analysts for the 2023 show include Gail Miller Bisher, Robert Cabral, Justin Kamine, Adrienne Vincze, and David Frei. The FOX hosts providing commentary and interviews will be Justin Kamine, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Scott Glenn.
Venue & Schedule
The 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show takes place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, the event’s home since 1880 (source). The famous arena has hosted the Westminster Dog Show for over 140 years, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 when it was held outdoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The schedule for the 2023 Westminster Dog Show spans two days, May 8-9. The first day, Monday May 8, features breed judging from 8 AM to 4:30 PM ET for hounds, toys, non-sporting breeds, and herding groups. The evening session on Monday includes junior handler preliminaries and the Masters Obedience Championship. The Best in Show competition takes place on the second day, Tuesday May 9, beginning at 7:30 PM ET. Madison Square Garden has a seating capacity of around 20,000 for Westminster Dog Show spectators.
Fun Facts
The Westminster Dog Show has a long and storied history, with many interesting facts and trivia surrounding this iconic event. According to the Westminster Kennel Club, it is the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby.
The very first Westminster show was held in 1877 at Gilmore’s Garden, the predecessor to Madison Square Garden. Only 1,201 spectators attended, compared to the hundreds of thousands in recent decades. According to Mental Floss, 2,500 dogs have competed since 1907, with best in show awarded to 109 dogs. Labs are the most popular breed with 29 wins, followed by Cocker Spaniels at 11.
The 2020 show was the first time it was ever held outside of New York City, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing it to relocate to a country estate in Tarrytown, NY. Blue Dog Pet Care notes that the show airs on major networks like ESPN and Fox Sports, reaching millions of viewers and providing great publicity for the breeds.
While most think purebreds dominate Westminster, mutts have occasionally competed and won. In 2019, a Bulldog named Thor defeated almost 3,000 dogs representing 203 breeds and varieties for the Best in Show title.