The 149th Westminster Dog Show is just around the corner, returning to New York City at the Javits Center and Madison Square Garden for the first time in five years. The 12th Annual Master Agility Championship will take place on Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. ET. Following the Super Bowl on Sunday, the conformation segment of the show will kick off with best of breed judging at the Javits Center on Monday, February 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. ET. Group judging will commence at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden and will continue on Tuesday, February 11, where the coveted best in show title will be awarded.
Jenny Taft, the host of FS1’s primetime coverage, and play-by-play announcer John Strong discussed the significance of the Westminster Dog Show. Strong emphasized its historical importance, noting that this is the second-oldest continuous sporting event in American history, with next year marking the 150th edition. Winning at Westminster is considered the pinnacle of achievement in the dog show world, akin to winning the Super Bowl. Taft added that both winning and judging at Westminster are seen as the ultimate honors in the field.
The Westminster Dog Show consists of two main components: conformation and the agility championship. Qualifying for Westminster is a significant achievement, as all participating dogs are champions from around the globe. Taft explained that there are various ways to qualify, but all dogs must have a record of success in different events. Once qualified, dogs compete in the best of breed round, where judges assess specific traits such as gait, measurements, and overall conformation. Strong likened the best of breed judging to a formal evaluation process, highlighting the meticulous standards judges uphold.
