The Westminster Dog Show is an international exhibition that was first opened at the Westminster Club in 1977 in Gilmore Garden. The exhibition was supposed to last for 3 consecutive days, but due to the entry of 1201 dogs, the exhibition ended in just one day. Since that event, this exhibition has continued to celebrate dogs every year, even during times of war, epidemics and depression. The name of the exhibition as Westminster Dog Show goes back to the name of the Westminster Hotel in Manhattan, where a group of hunters specialized in raising dogs used to meet.
Conditions for participation in the Westminster Dog Show and judging criteria
There are some conditions and criteria imposed by the Westminster Dog Show to participate in the sporting event for displaying the condition of dogs within the exhibition, which are as follows:
- Breeders determine the physical condition of the dog, so the dog must be subject to all the conditions imposed by the exhibition annually.
- The dog must be well trained to run, walk and jump in a certain way during the exhibition events, and this task is carried out by the dog’s breeder before submitting it to participate in this global sporting event.
- Beginner dogs begin competing through AKC shows within four months.
- All dog owners have the right to submit to the exhibition, regardless of their nationality, so all dog breeders from all over the world are keen to participate in the annual Westminster Dog Show to participate in the hope of winning.
Different Westminster Dog Show groups and categories
The categories of dogs participating in the Westminster Dog Show vary competitively, as all breeders participate in the exhibition after training the dogs well to win international awards. The categories of participating dogs are as follows:
- More than 2,500 dogs from 201 breeds and subgroups of breeds are registered to compete in the Westminster Dog Show.
- The exhibition includes the participation of competitors from every US state and 12 other countries.
- The show management relies on breeds that are characterized by agility and obedience, and the Dachshund breed is considered the best to participate in the show.
Characteristics and features of the snakehead fish, and interesting facts about it
The most prominent Westminster Dog Show winners over the years
We can mention the dog breeds that won the Westminster Dog Show award, which is held annually to show dogs in America, and these breeds are as follows:
- The Papillon Collie breed known as NIMBLE is the first mixed winner in the history of the agility trial, and he continued to win for 10 years at the Westminster Dog Show.
- There are some breeds that were able to win the Westminster Dog Show such as (Monty – Mercedes – Vito – Shih Tzu – Louis the Afghan Hound – Fox)
- The dog Pug won on Thanksgiving Day in the National Thanksgiving Day Program.
- A high-level Otterhound won the Westminster Show award, and it represents one of the rare breeds currently available.
- Sax Sanil won, sitting directly on his hind legs in front of the show judge.
- The Leonerger who got into his trainer’s pocket while circling the ring won.
- The Shiba Inu dog who appeared with a 10-year-old girl won.
- Terris has won the Westminster Dog Show 15 times.
- Last year, the Miniature Poodle Sag won the show.
The impact of the Westminster Dog Show on dog breeding around the world
There is no doubt that the Westminster Dog Show has a great impact on dog breeding around the world. We can mention some information about the impact of this show on dog breeding, and this information is as follows:
- The best breeds are searched for to be bred for agility, and trained to the highest level of agility, movement and flyball.
- Dogs are affected globally by good care and full care to participate in the Westminster Show.
- Some breeders rely on adopting dogs from more than one breed to choose the best among them to enter the Westminster Show, and thus the impact is positive due to the increased interest and care for dogs of all types and breeds.
Westminster Dog Show how to watch and participate in it
We can mention the way to follow the events of the Westminster Dog Show to know the terms and standards and to know how to participate in it, and these points are as follows:
- You can follow the events of the Westminster Dog Show through the TV screen, or through the Westminster Dog Show – youtube website, as the events of the exhibition are broadcast live via satellite Westminster Dog Show channel and websites.
- As for participating in the event, you can review the terms and conditions recognized by the Westminster Dog Show to apply for it.
- You must also conduct a comprehensive medical examination of the dog and submit it as a document to the Westminster Show to find out whether you can participate or not, as this step is done in order to select dogs with good health and the required age according to the rules of the Westminster Show.
- Agility and lightness are the main factor for dogs to enter the Westminster Show competition, and the competition allows the participation of dogs of purebred and mixed breeds from different countries of the world.
- Winning the Westminster Show depends on dog jumps, walking in tunnels, crossing slopes, speed and running tests, playing with flyball, aesthetic appearance, and obedience.
Why is the Westminster Show such a prominent event in the world of dogs?
We can know why the Westminster Show remains a prominent event in the world of dogs through some of the main details that made breeders interested in raising dogs and showing them at the Westminster Dog Show, and these details are as follows:
- The history of the Westminster Dog Show dates back to 1877 AD, and depends on official judging by displaying purebred dogs with only one dog getting the Best in Show award.
- In the last ten years, the Westminster Kennel Club has added some activities that must be available in the dogs that will participate in the show, such as open obedience for all breeds Mixed breed, agility, beauty.
- Thus, all those interested in breeding dogs were encouraged to take care of the dogs for presentation at the show by taking good care of them and training them well.
- This helped improve the services provided to the dogs during movement training and providing comfort and physical activity for presentation at the show.
- Thus, the Westminster Show will remain the most important and best sporting event for dogs to showcase their shape, movements, agility and enter into competition with many other breeds.
