(CNN) Thousands of dogs have descended on New York City for what may be the most eventful week of their lives — or, at least, the lives of their humans.
The dogs, among the most beautiful and well-behaved dogs in the country, have been trained to this day for months or years. They have come to compete in the canine equivalent of the Olympics or the Academy Awards.
it’s the Westminster Kennel Club Show.
Westminster is where the best of the best compete to earn their place in the annals of animal history. There are obedient Border Collies, lively Chihuahuas, lively Greyhounds and impeccably groomed Bichon Frisés. Human handlers are probably more nervous than a canine charge. The judges meticulously scrutinize each best in show thumbs up from snout to tail. Meanwhile, the puppies receive plenty of rewards regardless of whether they are on top or not.
Below, find a crash course at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, including how to watch puppies in action.
A Brief History of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is widely considered the most prestigious professional dog show in the United States, and it has been proven that since 1877, dogs of all stripes have competed for the title of best in show. it’s the The second longest continuously held sporting event in the country, after Kentucky DerbyIt even predates the creation of the American Kennel Club, which has not yet been established 1884.
Thousands of dog racers vie for the best show
more than 3,000 dogs From 210 Breeds she was expected in Queens, New York, this week to show off her stuff at Westminster.
Canine competitors are divided into groups: toy (think puffer pomeranians and bug-eyed puppies), sporting (golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers), hounds (beagles and bassets), terrier (Scotties and miniature schnauzers), and working (huge huskies and massive mastiffs) and non-sports (your french bulldog and poodles, which fit more on the couch than hunting).
In pictures: The 146th Dog Show at the Westminster Kennel Club
Trumpet, a bloodhound, kisses his handler Heather Helmer after winning the Best in Show award at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York, on Wednesday, June 22.
Handlers hold Boston Terriers as the breed is judged at the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York, on Tuesday, June 21.
The Pekingese runs the ring on Tuesday.
A curly retriever competes in a Sporting Group judging event.
Skye Marvin and her little terrier in the sitting area while judging a Toy, Terrier, Non-Sporting Breed.
Olivia Hodgkinson grooms her dog during the Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show.
The handlers walk the Dalmatians around the ring.
A therapist hangs a hot dog on her arm as a snack for her dog.
Bulldogs waiting to be judged.
Natasha Cooper kisses her dog.
Dealers make up Belgian Sheepdogs while judging the breeds.
A judge examines the pumi on Monday, June 20.
A handler brushes his dog’s tail before he competes during the 146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday.
Handler Claudio Cruz hugs Ethan, a basset hound, after winning the “Best of Breed” competition.
Gyula, 9-year-old Polly, peeks through the legs of his handler Stacy Chicage as they await the competition.
Bichon frises sit in the seating area during an agility competition on Saturday, June 19.
A poodle competes in an agility championship.
Members of the news media with cameras snap pictures of dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show preview event on Thursday.
First, the dogs must prove they are the best of their breed: They are evaluated according to the American Kennel Club’s standards for the breed of their breed, as they stand before a sharply dressed judge. The top representatives from each dynasty move on to the group judging round. They will compete against the other breeds in their group to move on to the final round, where the final seven dogs representing the best from each group will compete for the top prize.
It’s hard to pick a frontrunner when not many winners have been decided, but one contender is entering with a large fanbase: Winston the French Bulldog. Unsportsmanlike lover National Dog Show Award Winner last year and The best in supply reserve (or runner-up) at Westminster in 2022. Winston returns to Westminster with high expectations and a low center of gravity.
This year will also see Debut in Bracco Italianoan athletic dog with a drooping face that was newly recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Previous winners include champions of all shapes and sizes
last year, The dark-eyed bloody dog trumpet Run away with Best in Show, the first police dog to win the title. In 2021, a charmingly polished Beijinger has been named wasabi He won the title, becoming the second Beijing in a decade to top Westminster. The wire fox terrier has also won Best in Show twice in the past decade – King in 2019 and Sky in 2014 (the latter Dog It also won the National Dog Show Award in 2012 – this is a glory-hungry dynasty).
The winning pups have been turned into therapy dogs, appeared on Broadway and retired to the home of Martha Stewart.
How to watch the Westminster Dog Show
Judgment is born direct streaming On the Westminster Kennel Club website Mondays and Tuesdays from 8am to 4:30pm ET. FS2 will broadcast highlights from the judging dynasty throughout the day, though the group judging – and crowning best of the show – can only be seen on FS1 from 7:30pm to 11pm ET on Tuesdays.
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