This article will offer hsitory and information about the oldest and most famous dog show of all, The Westminster Dog Show that takes place in New York City every year. This show is an event about purebred dogs that have gone through dog training NYC or dog training Philadelphia to become one of the top dogs in their specific breed to compete in this prestigious event. Many people have seen this show which is televised nationally right after the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York at some time in their life. And no matter what your age is, the Westminster Dog Show is older.
The Westminster Kennel Club started the dog show in NYC in 1876. This year’s event will be the 144th annual dog show. That makes it the 2nd longest continuously held sporting event in the United States. The oldest sporting event is the Kentucky Derby which is only one year older than this event. Due to it’s longevity, it has been dubbed America’s Dog Show. People, particularly Americans enjoy this huge sense of history that is tied to an event such as this one and it continues to succeed in ratings as far as how popular it is among Americans.
It originally started by the kennel club to collect people who have a love and appreciation of purebred dogs and to help to bring out the optimal ability in each breed which will only make them better for the future. Dog owners actually traveled from all over by train to attend and enter their purebred dog in the first shows. Some of the breeds that were being shown in the beginning either no longer exist today or are named a totally different name. Much can change over the course of 134 years after all.
Today, there are more than 2,500 different champion canines from 173 different breeds or varieties. Americans have long been lovers of dogs and most American households have at least one dog in it as a pet. It continues to be held in New York as it has the entire time is has existed and several years ago, the Madison Square Garden, where the show takes place, sold out completely for the 2 day event due to it is rising popularity.
In order to get a dog to qualify the Westminster Dog Show, it takes an incredible amount of work from the best dog trainers in the world. Usually, dogs are selected immediately from a litter to be show dogs and they live a life similar to any other serious athlete. These dogs are used to competing in various levels of dog shows and fly all over the country for the opportunity to make it to the largest event of all, The Westminster Dog Show. The ultimate prize is known as Best in Show and that is the overall best dog of the show in the entire competition. Last year’s Best in Show was a beagle that was the first hound ever to hold this title.
