By Heather Stein

Photos by Geoffrey Potter

New York has always possessed a talent for spectacle, yet even by Manhattan standards the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show felt exceptional. The city did not merely host the anniversary. It wore it. Purple and gold glowed across the skyline, reflecting off glass towers and winter clouds alike. Conversations in taxis, cafés, and crowded sidewalks drifted effortlessly toward favorites and predictions. For one glittering week, Westminster was not simply a fixture on the calendar. It became the gravitational center of the city’s attention, blending tradition, glamour, and unmistakable excitement.

A century and a half is a remarkable lifespan for any institution, particularly one that continues to feel so vividly alive. Established in 1877, Westminster occupies a singular place in American culture. It is both a sporting tradition and a cultural ritual, woven deeply into New York’s identity. Generations of dogs, handlers, judges, and spectators have passed through its rings, each contributing to a living history that feels less preserved than constantly renewed. Westminster does not feel antique. It feels permanent, as much a part of the city’s rhythm as the avenues themselves.

The Westminster Kennel Club’s roots are inseparable from New York. The club was founded by a small circle of sporting gentlemen who gathered at the Westminster Hotel in Manhattan, a fashionable establishment of the late nineteenth century. Though the hotel itself has long since vanished, its name endures as one of the most recognizable brands in the canine world. Historical records frequently note the club’s intentionally limited membership, a tradition that persists today. The number, often cited as thirty-seven-members, reflects an organizational philosophy rooted in stewardship and continuity rather than expansion. From its earliest days, Westminster was conceived not merely as a show, but as a standard bearer.

New York in the 1870s was a city intoxicated by transformation. Elevated trains thundered overhead. Electric lighting began reshaping the night. Grand public venues rose as monuments to civic ambition. Into this landscape arrived the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, first staged at Gilmore’s Garden, the arena that would later evolve into Madison Square Garden. That connection between Westminster and the Garden would become one of the most enduring relationships in American sport. Few venues better embody New York’s flair for drama, prestige, and theatrical anticipation.

Dr. Donald Sturz, president of The Westminster Kennel Club, captured the resonance of the milestone with clarity and warmth. “The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a celebration of the universal love of dogs, a sentiment that has woven its way through the fabric of our country’s history, in both good times and bad.” His words carry particular weight in New York, a city defined by resilience and reinvention. Westminster’s longevity mirrors that same spirit, enduring across wars, economic upheavals, and sweeping cultural shifts while keeping its distinctive character.

By the time the spotlight settled on the Best In Showring at Madison Square Garden, anticipation had reached a near cinematic intensity. Penny, the four-year-old Doberman Pinscher formally known as GCHP Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, entered with composure that seemed to quiet the vast arena. Handled by Andy Linton, she moved with confidence and precision, ultimately claiming Best in Show before an audience keenly aware of the moment’s significance. In an anniversary defined by reflection, Penny’s victory felt instantly historic.

In the glow of celebration, a simple exchange offered one of the evening’s most memorable moments. When reporter Heather Stein asked about Penny’s favorite command, Linton responded with a smile and relaxed candor. “Yea, it’s time to eat!” The audience erupted with laughter and affection. The remark resonated not because it was humorous, but because it was disarmingly true. Beneath Westminster’s polish and prestige are dogs whose pleasures stay wonderfully uncomplicated.

Reserve Best In Show went to Cota, the five-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever known as GCHP Next Generation’s Accelerate, handled by Devon Kipp Levy. The pairing felt symbolically perfect. A Doberman and a retriever, elegance beside athleticism, each embodying different facets of canine excellence. Such contrasts have always defined Westminster, a showcase not only of winners but of remarkable diversity.

The week itself unfolded as a meticulously choreographed social season for the canine world. At the Jacob K Javits Convention Center, more than 2,500 entries competed in Best of Breed judging, transforming the vast glass structure into a vibrant temporary metropolis. Grooming areas buzzed with concentration and camaraderie. Ringside spectators navigated aisles with the easy familiarity of seasoned attendees. Veterans of the sport greeted newcomers, creating an atmosphere that felt less like rivalry and more like reunion.

The anniversary extended beyond the show venues into Manhattan’s cultural landscape. The AKC Museum of the Dog presented a special exhibit titled The Life of a Show Dog: Celebrating 150 Years of Westminster. The exhibition offered visitors an immersive exploration of the sport’s history, artistry, and human stories. Trophies, archival photographs, and rare artifacts combined to create a narrative that felt deeply personal rather than purely historical. The exhibit ran through March 22, 2026, providing a lasting tribute to the milestone year.

Christopher E. Bromson, CEO and Executive Director of the AKC Museum of the Dog, spoke passionately about the exhibition’s significance. “There are few events as inseparable from New York City as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, making The Life of a Showdog, a natural home at the Museum of the Dog. This exhibition offers our guests a rare glimpse behind the show ring and into the rich history of the sport.”

Among the exhibit’s most evocative pieces, Bromson highlighted a particularly intimate artifact. “The grooming table, tools and crate of legendary handler and judge, Anne Rogers Clark.” The items possess extraordinary symbolic power, representing not only one towering figure but generations of dedication, discipline, and artistry.

Madison Square Garden delivered its own procession of unforgettable moments. Zaida, the Afghan Hound, claimed the Hound Group with unmistakable elegance. Cookie, the Maltese, radiated polish, and precision. JJ, the Lhasa Apso, carried quiet authority into the Non-Sporting Group. Graham, the Old English Sheepdog, charmed audiences with charismatic presence. Each victory added texture to a celebration defined as much by personality as performance.

The Canine Celebration infused the week with exuberant athleticism. Nearly 500 dogs competed in agility and flyball, transforming the Garden into a stage for speed, precision, and pure joy. Amber McCune’s Border Collie Prove It captured the Masters Agility Championship with breathtaking velocity. McCune’s reflection distilled the emotional intensity behind the triumph. “Prove It winning is so very special to me and I couldn’t be prouder of him. As an owner handler and breeder of the special boy, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Prove It truly is a once in a lifetime dog and I am so so lucky to have him as my teammate and best friend.”

Flyball returned with kinetic energy and roaring crowds. Cindy Henderson, NAFA Supervising Judge and owner of the Wicked Runners Flyball Club, conveyed the sport’s thrill and precision. “Flyball is a fast-paced sport featuring two teams of four dogs each racing side by side against each other running over jumps, retrieving a ball, and then back over the jumps.” Her description captures the mechanics, though the spectacle itself defies simple explanation.

“There are definitely nerves before the race starts but once we start, I go into competition mode,” Henderson explained. Westminster’s scale transforms the experience. “At Westminster we are so lucky to have huge crowds of people watching the event and cheering on the dogs. They make it so much fun for the competitors, and the dogs really get excited and run faster with all the encouragement.”

Agility competitors supplied equally resonant narratives. Erin Hoverson’s Shadow, a Stabyhoun and the only representative of the breed ever to compete in Westminster agility, became a quiet ambassador. “Shadow is usually noise sensitive, but he was thrilled to be at Westminster this year and really seemed to feed off the energy in the building.” Such stories illuminate Westminster’s distinctive emotional landscape, where personal triumphs stand alongside grand victories.

Jeffrey Tripp and his Cardigan Welsh Corgi Jack embodied yet another dimension of Westminster’s enduring charm. “My dream of making the finals at Westminster was reality now!!!” he recalled. At the conclusion of their run, spontaneity overtook ceremony. “I took Jack’s paw, and I waved at the crowd. And the crowd loved it and exploded with happiness.” Moments like these reveal Westminster’s unique ability to merge prestige with genuine warmth.

Corporate partnerships also formed part of the anniversary narrative. Gianna DeiSanti, Director Brand Marketing for Purina Pro Plan, emphasized the continuity between nutrition and excellence. “The Best in Show winner, Penny, the Doberman Pinscher, is the nineteenth of the past twenty Best in Show winners fed Purina Pro Plan dog food. For Purina Pro Plan, we are ecstatic to provide the fuel for life for these exquisite show dogs.”

Across 150 years, Westminster has remained one of New York’s most distinctive rituals. It is heritage animated by living participants. It is precision infused with emotion. Above all, it is a testament to the enduring bond between dogs, their people, and the city that continues to celebrate them with unmatched enthusiasm.

Richard Ansdell, Highland Tod, Fox Hunter, 1859. Oil on Canvas. Collection of the American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club® Museum of the Dog is excited to announce its newest exhibition, Scotland, The Brave Dogs, which will run from March 26th, 2026, through July 12th, 2026.

Coinciding with New York’s Tartan Week, Scotland, The Brave Dogs, is an exhibition celebrating Scottish breeds through works by noted Scottish artists such as Edwin Douglas and Samuel Fulton, as well as renowned artists Sir Edwin Landseer, Richard Ansdell, John Sargent Noble, and George and Maud Earl.

More than a celebration of iconic breeds, the exhibition offers a window into the nation’s rich history and cultural legacy. Through the stories of these dogs, their roles, their evolution, and their deep connection to the land, we honor Scotland itself: its working traditions, its artistic heritage, and the remarkable dogs that helped shape both.

“It is always an honor when we get to highlight the exceptional work of dogs through art,” says Alan Fausel, Curator for the AKC Museum of the Dog. “We are excited to be celebrating Scotland, its culture, and the incredibly brave dogs that are deeply entwined with this nation.”

For more information on this exhibit or the AKC Museum of the Dog, please visit www.museumofthedog.org

Class of 2030
• Domenic Palleschi Carota, Delegate, Pharaoh Hound Club of America
• Jason Hoke, Delegate, Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club
• Sue Goldberg, Delegate, Lewiston-Auburn Kennel Club, Inc.

In addition, Dr. Thomas M. Davies (Springfield Kennel Club, Inc.) was re-elected as the Chairman of the Board and Dr. Michael Knight, PhD (Texas Kennel Club) was re-elected as Vice Chairman of the Board at a meeting of the AKC Board of Directors, convened after the Delegates Meeting.

Domenic Palleschi Carota

Jason Hoke

Sue Goldberg

©Anna Szabo / Royal Kennel Club

FCI President Dr. Tamás Jakkel chose the Clumber Spaniel male, Sh Ch Vanitonia Soloist, Breeder-Owner-Handled by Lee Cox, as his Best In Show winner at Crufts 2026.

©Anna Szabo / Royal Kennel Club

Best In Show – Sh Ch Vanitonia Soloist, Clumber Spaniel - Owner Mr. L. A. S. Cox

Reserve Best In Show  – Am/Cro/Fin/ Int Ch Black Majesty Some Say WW24/25 Euw 24/25, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen - Owner Mrs. I. Raic

Photo from Lisa Croft-Elliott

I want to start by congratulating Jorge Olivera and ‘Baby Joe’ for joining the Century Club this past weekend by winning Best In Shows #100, #101 and #102 in Fresno, California.  As we all know, this amazing team was #1 Dog All Breeds in 2025. Another fun fact is Baby Joe eclipsed the 100 BIS mark in just over a year of showing. This is an incredible feat for any breed let alone a Miniature Schnauzer! Congratulations to everyone on Baby Joe’s team. He couldn’t have reached this historic record without the help of everyone involved.

I think we can all agree that no one goes into the show ring to lose. The goal of the day may be to get a major, get that last single point, or win the breed with hopes of being awarded the shiny blue ribbon in the group. Of course, being one of the two pointed to in that final field of 7 dogs is always the ultimate dream for most.

Do you ever think about what is going through the mind of the judge? I think all competitors should read the article published in the February issue of The Canine Chronicle titled, “The Juggling Act of Impartiality” https://caninechronicle.com/current-articles/the-juggling-act-of-impartiality/. If you have been involved in the sport of purebred dogs for any length of time–which is a requirement for judges–it is not unusual to know some of the exhibitors in the ring. The author, Will Alexander, says he deals with this by focusing on the dogs. He says he sometimes doesn’t know who the handlers are until he awards ribbons at the end of a class. As a judge, I believe that this is the best possible way to maintain impartiality. Like Will, many judges tell friends or acquaintances they can show to them as long as the end result is not taken personally.

I hear exhibitors talk about the reasons they did not prevail in the ring. Sadly, those reasons often have little, if anything, to do with the dog being exhibited. As exhibitors, we need to focus on our exhibit, and that exhibit’s performance, just like the judge standing center ring does. If we all adopt this mindset, I think our sport will be a happier place, and we will all be pleased with the result. No one likes to lose. After a loss, let’s focus on how we can do better next time. Can we condition our dog better? Can we change the way we handle that dog?  As exhibitors, we might take time to learn what type of dog that judge prefers. This, too, can eliminate disappointment.

Kentuckiana volunteers are working very hard preparing for the upcoming cluster on March 12-15. Please do not forget to send in your grooming reservations! Reservations should be sent to Louisvillegrooming@yahoo.com, and reservations should be paid for at executivedogshows.com. Please note that you cannot leave any fields blank, or the system will not allow you to pay.

The Kentucky Expo Center is under construction, and it is definitely making the Kentuckiana Cluster Team’s job more difficult. Please be prepared for things to look a bit different, and please be kind to the volunteers who are working very hard to make this show as great as it has been in previous years.

I am looking forward to bringing you Table Talk Live coverage from Louisville once again this year! Please be sure to stop by and see me to celebrate your wins and share your stories. Table Talk Live would not be what it is without your participation.

Tuni Conti loaded up her dog and went to the airport Monday morning to catch her flight home from the shows in Denver. Much to her surprise, while on the shuttle to the terminal, she checked to confirm her flight was on time–and what she found was a huge surprise! She booked her flight for the wrong day and did not have a ticket until Tuesday. Oops! A bit of advice from Mrs. Conti: Check your flights, friends–and make sure you booked your travel on the right day!

Fanciers celebrating birthdays this week include Blair Aguillard Commisso, Ryan Platt, Allison Sunderman, Marge Wilson, Lori Stephen, Danielle Goodland-Rose, Susanna Bjornsson, Kate Berry, Valeria Rickard, Diane Lee Severns, Anne Regan, Laura Edwards, and Ed Fojtik. We wish you all the best year yet!

Here’s something to think about: Sit with dog people committed to their growth and their dog’s growth. The conversation will be different!

Wherever your travels take you, be safe out there! May your journey be everything you had hoped for. Until next time…

Recent years have eroded our ingrained association between Westminster and February. But it’s a tough habit to break. You might venture to call it a conditioned reflex, so it’s still a bit confusing as we head into it.  There are perfectly logical reasons why clubs defend their designated show dates in the AKC calendar. It’s mid-winter, so we instantly think Westminster. Springtime… we’re still getting used to this arrangement. Maybe it’s time for a reminder of Westminster’s past flirtations with this far more appealing New York season. In fact, the club held several shows in early May. Obviously, that alleviated the perpetual concerns with travel and weather. Otherwise, how did they go?

Westminster’s seventh show on May 8-11, 1883–and also their first May event oddly–neatly coincided with their upcoming show. Let’s take that as a lucky omen. And Westminster’s star was certainly rising in 1883. The club had gone into this one determined to teach the world how to run a dog show, and seven years in they knew the drill.

Although they were still renting the Vanderbilt -owned former train depot, that less than ideal location didn’t seem to impede Westminster’s growing popularity. The total entry of 979 dogs featured the era’s biggest canine stars like Turk the Mastiff and Ch. Bonivard, the St. Bernard. Giant breeds were in their heyday and those two benched attractions sold a lot of tickets that year. To illustrate the extent of public fascination with giant breeds, Harper’s Weekly featured Newfs, Mastiffs and Saints for several weeks before and after the show. New York Times coverage commenced weeks earlier on April 15^th saying that entries were already “far in excess of those at any other show. Dogs are coming from Canada and from England.”  William Graham, who wasn’t the only Brit to carve out a multi-faceted career as a judge/breeder/broker/journalist, arrived with a literal boatload of contenders including Nevison, a Mastiff valued at $1000 and winner of 32 prizes; Garry Owen, an Irish Terrier that was also a big winner with a big price tag, and the already noted Saint Bonivard.

That year the club offered six Collie classes, acknowledging the breed’s spiraling popularity. However, the article went on to say, “The most valuable American dog entered so far is Biz, an Irish Setter owned by J.S. McIntosh of Pittsburgh, rated at $15,000.” Westminster Superintendent Charles Lincoln also bragged to the press that well before entries closed, “all the prize winners at the Ottawa, Washington and Pittsburgh bench shows” were expected, adding that the hottest competition was likely to come from English Setters, Pugs, Pointers and Collies–a statement that might not fly with current AKC regulations.

On May 9^th Times show coverage noted, “There were Mastiffs and St. Bernards and Newfoundlands and many others there yesterday with incomparably more brains than half the attendants at the Democratic primaries.” Even then, politics seemed to creep into every aspect of life. Possibly the biggest celebrity appearance that year was Samuel Tilden, who had been on the losing end of the 1876 presidential election. The mere fact of his attendance was excellent PR for Westminster…but Tilden wasn’t just looking around. Tilden was dog shopping and the press covered every thrilling moment, which was actually not that thrilling. Anyone who has benched Pugs at Westminster can relate to Tilden’s introduction to Duke. “The sage of Grammercy Park patted the native of Long Island on the head and the native of Long Island lay down and went to sleep”. Obviously, Tilden knew his dog when he found it.

Additional Times coverage added Duke’s disappointing ring performance which earned a measly VHC. Of course, the press also shared Tilden’s home address, which was possibly not a great idea.  Professional ethics have changed dramatically since then, but some things never do, as the final Times report said on May 12.  “Little remains to be said about the bench show of 1883 except that it was one of the most successful ever given by the Westminster club, that it was admirably managed from first to last, that everybody who took a prize went home satisfied, and that everybody who didn’t considered his dog an ill-used animal.”

 (Note: No photo available from the May 1883 show)

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