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For complete information on the 2008 show, including when breeds and groups will be judged, the television schedule, and ticket information: Westminster 2008.

One hundred and thirty-two years ago, in a hotel in New York City, a group of sportsmen had a novel idea. After gathering at the Westminster Hotel in New York City, and deeming themselves "The Westminster Kennel Club," they decided to take their love of the sporting of dogs a step further. The showing of dogs in England was becoming a huge success and starting to move more into the interest of people in the states. So through the gentlemen's desire to increase the knowledge and interest in dogs, improve the breed, and perhaps to just show off a bit what they loved and were so proud of, they gathered in Madison Square Garden and decided to hold their own annual event -- and thus, The Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show was born. Who knew that over a century later, it would be only second in line as the oldest, continuous sporting event in the United States, with The Kentucky Derby being first. No one could have predicted the overwhelming popularity and success and that even in the 21st century, dogs and owners would be still be gathering in Madison Square Garden every year, "showing their stuff."

Westminster is a two day show, held each February. Yet the preparation and planning starts nearly two years in advance of each show, as the show committee begins to select the panel of approximately forty judges. The first official show entry had 1,502 dogs and only four judges. Now there are over 2,500 dogs in each show with ten times the number of judges.

In the days prior to the shows opening, the benching is set up with specific areas set up for each breed. Westminster is one of only six bench shows left in existence today -- meaning that the dogs are exhibited in benched areas before the show.

The first great dog from Westminster was a pointer named "Sensation," owned by the club. He was said to have the best head in the world. Today, Sensation is still proudly representing his club, portrayed in a noble pointing stance on it's official emblem.

The first official winner of "The Best in Show" was not awarded until 1907. The winner that night was a Smooth Fox Terrier -- CH. Warren Remedy. She also claimed the title in 1908 and 1909, making her the only dog to take Best in Show three times at Westminster.

Out of over 2000 dogs that enter the show today, only seven will make it to the final judging on the last night. The winners will receive prizes such as a sterling silver bowl for Best In Show, sterling silver plates for Group winners, and sterling silver medals for Best of Breed. But the top dog that night will have to win the approval of three judges--judge of the breed, judge of the group and the best in show judge. In the end, on that final night, one dog will steal the show and stand alone, for all the world to see. In over a century of annual shows though, there must be more than bowls, plates and medals that keep them flocking back. The pride and joy in the faces of owners and handlers are obvious. But this year, as you're hanging on the edge of your seat waiting for that final call, take a closer look. The proudest faces and brightest eyes won't be on the faces of the winners, owners, or handlers. They'll be on the ones having the best time, showing their stuff and loving it--all 2,500 or more of them!

How It Works

Before that final dog takes his triumphant trot around the floor of Madison Square Garden, he has already accomplished a huge task. Before he ever even gets to Westminster, he will of had to received his Championship of Record title from the American Kennel Club. The AKC is the organization that keeps records, or a "registry", of purebred dogs by breed, supports and holds dog events, approves the standards for each breed as developed by the parent breed club and encourages responsible dog breeding and ownership.

The AKC was established on September 17, 1884. Back then, the standards of each breed, judging and entries in dogs shows differed quite a bit from today. The goal and purpose served, though, are still basically the same: Pick the best of the best, and set a standard for the rest.

Every breed of dog has a "standard." These standards are a set of guidelines on appearance, personality or demeanor, and physical attributes. Each national breed club has developed a set of standards for its breed of dog, to set an example for breeders to breed by and judges to judge by. These standards have been approved by the AKC and are the source of the points a dog is awarded in a show. Judges use these standards as a guide when evaluating dogs at a show.

The judging at Westminster to find the one dog who best represents its breed standard and ultimately wins best in show, is done basically done through a process of elimination. There are 169 breeds eligible for AKC registration, and each breed is assigned to one of seven groups. These groups were created to represent the uses for which the breeds were originally developed. The groups are Sporting, Non-Sporting, Herding, Working, Hound, Terrier, and Toy.

The process of elimination starts in each breed. Judges carefully observe and look over each entry in a breed. The breed winner is selected and by honor of winning best of breed that dog goes on to its respective group judging.

In judging groups, the group judge determines which of the represented best of breed winners best fit that breed's standard. The group judge awards group placements from first to fourth.

Winners from each of the seven groups enter the ring for a final time -- to be judged against their breed standards for the coveted title of BEST IN SHOW.

Photos courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club.