The Westminster Kennel Club celebrates 135 years of dog shows in 2011, second only to the Kentucky Derby as the longest continually held sporting event in the United States. An elite show for Champions only, Westminster's prestige is matched by the handlers and judges in formal attire, and by the celebrity attendance at this one-of-a-kind canine event. Dogs from around the country converge on New York City each February for their turn on the green carpet in Madison Square Garden, and a chance for the most coveted Best in Show award in America.
Westminster 2011
The 2011 Westminster Kennel Club dog show takes place Monday, February 14 and Tuesday, February 15 in downtown Manhattan, at the world-famous Madison Square Garden. On Monday, the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups compete, while the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups take their turn on Tuesday. Breed judging occurs throughout the day, with Group judging beginning at 8:00 p.m. each night. Best in Show is awarded late Tuesday night, after all of the Group winners have been chosen.
New Breeds
Six breeds compete at Westminster for the first time in 2011. The Hound Group welcomes both the Bluetick Coonhound and the Redbone Coonhound in 2011. The Boykin Spaniel makes its debut in the Sporting Group, while the Icelandic Sheepdog premiers in the Herding Group. The Working Group also welcomes two new breeds, the Cane Corso and the Leonberger.
New breeds go through a multiple-step process before entering the AKC Groups. Breed fanciers must provide thorough record-keeping for multiple generations, evidence that the breed is "breeding true"--that the breed traits are passed from one generation to the next without the need to bring in additional breeds, evidence of sufficient interest in the breed in the United States, and an established national breed parent club. The AKC's Foundation Stock Service can help organize and gather this information, but is not required for a new breed.
If the AKC Board determines that sufficient interest and activity exists, a breed is admitted into the Miscellaneous Class and, if not already participating, the Foundation Stock Service. Breeds in the Miscellaneous Class can compete in Companion and breed-eligible Perfomance events as well as Junior Showmanship. Conformation competition is available for Miscellaneous breeds, but does not carry any championship points. When a breed demonstrates "healthy, dynamic growth" in the Miscellaneous Class, the AKC Board may approve it for admission to the appropriate regular AKC Group.
Television and Internet Coverage
Once again, the Westminster Kennel Club will provide streaming video of breed judging during the day, a tradition they started in 2005 that garnered 11 million hits the first year. The USA Network will provide a live telecast of Group judging for half of Monday night and all of Tuesday night. From 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. EST Monday, viewers can watch Group judging on USA; at 9:00 p.m. USA switches to wrestling and the Westminster show moves to CNBC. Tuesday night USA televises the entire Group judging, from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. EST.
As one of the most-watched dog shows in the United States, the Westminster Kennel Club show holds a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Even those who would never consider showing a dog set aside a few hours in mid-February to watch the pageantry and glamour of the Westminster dog show, and cheer on their favorite breed. Although only one dog comes home as the Westminster Best in Show winner, the popularity and appeal of Westminster is a win for all dogs.
Jennifer A. Walker - I have been writing for as long as I can remember, and was first published when I was eleven and wrote a profile of a local poet for my ...
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