NEW YORK - The first thing you notice about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is how massive an event it really is. The WKC Dog Show, behind the Kentucky Derby, is America's second-oldest sporting event, having originated in 1877. The event's history precedes that of our country's best-known dog organization, the American Kennel Club, which began in 1884.
Although competition didn't start until Monday, there was plenty of weekend dog activity in New York City, including Saturday's Masters Agility Championship and AKC's Meet the Breeds.
The weekend events, as well as part of the show competition, are held in Piers 92 and 94, massive buildings lining the East River. Thousands of fans traveled through 20-degree temperatures to meet and learn about different breeds of dogs and to determine which would make the best pet for their family.
From the beloved poodle to the less-than-scholarly-looking English bulldog to the Bergamasco, an ancient herding dog that's one of seven new breeds at this year's show, dogs were on showcase for fans to interact with. Just remember, etiquette dictates you ask the dog's owner whether you can pet the dog before doing so.
My home for the week, the Wyndham New Yorker, is one of several official dog-friendly hotels providing accomodations for entrants and their owners. You're likely to share an elevator with several dogs. My Sunday morning trip to the 35th floor found me riding with two Great Danes. Collectively, I'm sure we pushed the elevator's weight limit.
Most dogs and their owners, who often hire professional handlers for the actual competition, arrived late last week. You quickly realize that showing dogs is not a poor man's sport.
The best quote I heard all week was from a dachshund owner on the shuttle bus this morning. I asked her whether winning Best in Show offsets the costs involved. Her answer was quite telling:
"The best way to earn a small fortune in dog shows is to begin with a large one," she said. I knew that was going in my column as soon as I heard it.
As with many other activities in life, from Little League to beauty pageants, the Westminster Dog Show carries an element of politics, causing some to question the genuineness of breed winners.
When dogs parade around a ring, and when he or she is inspecting them, the judge is looking to decide which dog most conforms to that breed's standards. Standards, according to the WKC, are "written descriptions of the ideal specimen of that breed." Standards relate to the breed's general appearance, coat, temperament, feet, tail, ear placement and more.
As I watched the Yorkshire terrier competition this morning, more than 20 profesionally-groomed, red-ribbon-wearing dogs made their way around the ring. Crowd applause varied dog by dog, but I learned from a 'Deep Throat' within dog show circles that many owners have plants in the audience to bring attention to a certain entrant.
With the black and tan coonhound competition, the dog receiving the loudest ovation also won best in breed. Coincidence or undue influence on the judge? Conspiracy theorists lean toward the latter.
Monday and Tuesday night's finals shift to Madison Square Garden, where national television audiences on CNBC and USA Network will watch the final stages approaching Best in Show. Best in Breed preliminary winners advance to the group competitions, where dogs are placed in one of seven categories: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding.
Four placements are awarded in each group, but only the first-place winner advances to Tuesday's Best in Show finals.
You might be surprised to learn the Best in Show winner doesn't receive a cash prize. Winners receive a silver bowl, a large ribbon and, ideally, its owner receives thousands of dollars in stud fees from breeders wanting to tap into that winning blood line.
Dog shows are not about making money. Each owner, who in a busy year of shows may spend six figures in expenses, travel, grooming, boarding, handling, etc., will tell you it's about chasing a dream--to leave New York City with Westminster's Best in Show. It's the Daytona 500 for dogs.
These dogs are divas, though. They are pampered, handled and attended to like swimsuit models. Westminster entrants don't drink tap water. Nope. Poland Springs, one of the WKC Dog Show sponsors, provides thousands of gallons of bottled spring water for contestants to drink during competition.
Myriad corporate sponsors are on hand, hoping to tap into the multi-millions of dollars spent by dog show owners each year. When it comes to Westminster, Purina is the big dog on the block of advertisers. Purina Pro Plan advertisements are found from the backdrop of the winners' stage to the armbands of handlers.
For dog lovers, Westminster is a 'bucket-list' event. It may be the Super Bowl of dog shows, but don't come here as a spectator expecting to be pampered. Huge crowds push and shove their way into the limited seating around the 10 rings where preliminary events are held. General admission folding chairs are "saved" with gloves, hats, purses, jackets or a variety of other markers.
Imagine Mardi Gras if it were a dog show and you've got Westminster. But Mardi Gras, like this show, remains one of the nation's top tourist events. And the crowds, publicity and sponsors guarantee this show will remain top dog on the national circuit for years to come.
