Woof, wow!
New York City got a first glance of the upcoming 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on April 27. The dogs of Westminster gathered at 620 Loft & Garden at Rockefeller Center a fantastic sneak peek for the event which runs May 6, 8 and 9 at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
WKC President, Dr. Donald Sturz, WKC Show Chairman, David Helming, and Westminster’s Resident Breed Expert, Director of Communications, and FOX Sports On-Air Dog Show Analyst, Gail Miller Bisher were all there for the morning full of showmanship.
Animals in attendance with their owners included Jasper and Elvira: Bracchi Italiani, the newest eligible breed at Westminster; Baloo and Pearl: Newfoundland, a hidden gem breed; Korbel: Löwchen, hidden gem; and Fosse: Tibetan Spaniel, hidden gem.
The 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan is America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event and is also known as America’s Dog Show. For the first time ever, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow – Corona Park.
Attendees got to see the newly eligible Bracco Italiano and numerous “hidden gem” breeds, including Newfoundlands, Löwchens, and Tibetan Spaniels. There was also a sneak peek at a first in Westminster’s history of freestyle obedience for a companion event that resembles “Dancing with Dogs.” Additionally, the Agility Demonstration showcased top dogs in their element on the green turf ahead of the 10th Anniversary Masters Agility Championship.
The Westminster Kennel Club, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby, and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show. The Club’s mission, which enhances the lives of all dogs, celebrates the companionship of dogs and promotes responsible dog ownership and breed preservation.
The Club advocates for purpose-bred dogs, with an understanding that each dog has a legacy and history that deserves to be taught, honored, and preserved. The Club uses education to raise awareness and encourage owners to conscientiously select dogs that are the right match for their families. The annual dog show—a conformation competition for purpose-bred dogs—and the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship—where dogs from all backgrounds are eligible to compete— make Westminster Week with over 3,000 dogs from the U.S. and around the world, a pinnacle experience for any dog lover. America’s Dog Show has captivated canine enthusiasts for more than a century.
Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster
Photos by Jack Grassa for Westminster Kennel Club
