Westminster History & Fun Facts

Facts and History found at westminsterkennelclub.org

1877
The First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs, given under the auspices of the Westminster Kennel Club, drawing an entry of 1,201 dogs.
The show is such a hit that it is extended to four days to accommodate the overwhelming public interest. The gate for the first day of the show is estimated as high as 8,000. On the second day, 20,000 spectators attended, a number matched on the third day and providing the impetus to add a fourth day.

1888
With her assignment of 117 St. Bernards at Westminster, Anna Whitney becomes the first woman to judge a dog show in America. It would be 1901 before another woman judges any dog show in the U.S.

1907
A panel of 10 judges decided Best in Show. Neither the names of the judges nor the number of them were otherwise recorded for 1907 through 1911.

1909
Ch. Warren Remedy, a Smooth Fox Terrier, is awarded Best In Show for the third consecutive year, a feat not duplicated since at Westminster.

1910
A class is offered for the first time for Fire Department Dalmatians, won by Mike of Engine Company 8 of 51st Street.

1923
There was no BEST IN SHOW award in 1923. The American Kennel Club barred interbreed competition for 1923 except in the Miscellaneous Class. Comprehensive new rules for Group & Best in Show judging were adopted effective for 1924.

1989
A red Doberman Pinscher bitch, Ch. Royal Tudor’s Wild as the Wind CD, becomes the first dog with an obedience title to capture Best In Show

Oldest Dogs To Win Best In Show
2009 – Sussex Spaniel – 10 years, 2 months, 10 days old

Youngest Dog To Win Best In Show
1929 – Rough Collie – Exactly 9 months Old

Best In Show Awards by Sex of the Dog
Dog: 75 (most recent: 2022)
Bitch: 40 (most recent: 2020)

Only 12 times has a Breeder-Owner-Handler Have Ever Won Best In Show at WKC! The Years…
1918 R. H. Elliott
1921 William T. Payne
1940 & 1941 H. E. Mellenthin
1945 T. H. Snethen
1957 Sunny Shay
1969 Walter Goodman
1983 Chris Terrell
2016 Valerie Nunes-Atkinson
2017 Kent Boyles
2021 David Fitzpatrick
2022 Heather Buehner

Most Best In Show Wins as Handler
Both Peter Green & Percy Roberts have handled a Westminster BIS winner 4 times.
Percy Roberts 1926, 1927, 1934, 1937
Peter Green 1968, 1977, 1994, 1998

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=256827

Posted by Liz on Feb 13 2023. Filed under Current Articles, Featured, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.