Westminster – 60 Years Later

By Amy Fernandez

Ever heard that old saying, “some things never change”? Cross Westminster right off that list. I just got back from Day 1 of Westminster 2022. Some managerial aspects have tightened up since last year, other stuff not so much. (Pack light, bring walking shoes). I will get to that, but first I want to provide some historical context. After all, I’m you’re boring dog show history teacher.

So I dug out the Westminster catalog from 1962. I thought that year would provide a nice round number for comparison. That was Westminster number 86 for anyone keeping track. All things considered, it’s kind of amazing to think that we’ve made it all the way to show number 146.

Otherwise, there’s not much to compare. For example, the 1962 catalog’s long list of past shows revealed nothing but MSG aside from a brief glitch in 1914. They were dug in and the idea of moving the show was unthinkable by then. Geezz, we just got into that new routine over at the Piers, and now we are waking up in Tarrytown. Likewise, the show dates were immovable. MSG in February–that was law. This 1962 show, held February 12-13th pulled a total entry of 2569 dogs. This year drew 3092, which includes many more breeds and events, of course.

As usual for Westminster, 1962 featured the best judges, which always assures good entries. Monday kicked off with an entry of 84 Toy Poodles–judged by Percy Roberts and 43 Longhaired Dachshunds judged by Alva Rosenberg. I must say that Westminster really corralled some superstar judges that year. They had John Marvin doing Westies, Louis Murr doing Ridgebacks, and Lorna Demidoff doing Mals and Siberians. Breed judging also ran well into the evening. Alva Rosenberg didn’t start judging his entry of 76 Smooth Dachshunds until 7:30 that night. But they had company. Anna K. didn’t start sorting through her 88 Mini Poodles until 8:00 that night. Thankfully, no one had to wait around until midnight for groups. Group judging commenced Tuesday afternoon–which still included Best Brace competition. Teams had been dropped the previous year. Evening judging also featured working demonstrations both days–Field Dogs in Action and Gun Dogs in Action. The spectators must have loved that, especially since Westminster was prime time TV viewing at that point.

If you are feeling nostalgic, just imagine this. Westminster catalogs were $2.50 and Midtown hotels offered a special $7 per night rate for the Westminster crowd.

I can only imagine what it was like to be there and see those great dogs and iconic handlers just doing their normal Westminster drill. For example, Dr. Elsie Neustadt’s famed Rudel Greyhounds were in there handled by Tom and Kay Gately. Those incredible Gordon and Bennett sisters were in there with their Wildweir Yorkies. Both of those kennels have left indelible legacies to their respective breeds.

And that’s the plotline running through all of this pageantry. Compared to 60 years ago, Westminster 2022 is virtually unrecognizable. But regardless of where or when, our purebred priorities are written in stone. Here is one delightful moment from today that proves the point. Back in 1962 Dorothy and Diane Poranski were in there for Alva Rosenberg’s late Monday night Smooth Dachshund judging. Well, Dorothy is gone but today Diane was there. She’s been at it for all those 60 years, and this year she hit the target, finally winning a Westminster BOV with her Smooth. Yeah, everybody cried.  And whether or not you agreed with the judge today, that win exemplifies the kind of dedication and perseverance responsible for every dog on display this week in Tarrytown.

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