Facts You May Not Know Regarding The Westminster Dog Show In New York City

This article will offer hsitory and information about the oldest and most famous dog show of all, The Westminster Dog Show that is held in New York City every year. This show is a celebration of purebred dogs that have endured dog training NYC or dog training Philadelphia to become one of the champion dogs in their particular breed to compete in this prestigious event. A lot of people have seen this show which is nationally televised immediately following the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York at some point in their life. And no matter what your age is, the Westminster Dog Show is older than every living person in this country.

The Westminster Kennel Club created the dog show in New York City in 1876. This year’s event will be the 144th annual dog show. That makes it the 2nd longest continuously held sport in America. The oldest sporting event is the Kentucky Derby which is only one year older than this event. Because of it’s longevity, it has been called America’s Dog Show. People, especially Americans love this strong 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 absolute best in each breed which will only make them better for the future. Dog owners actually traveled from far away by train to attend and enter their purebred canines in the first shows. Some of the breeds that were represented back in the beginning either no longer exist now or are called by a completely different name. A lot can change over the period of 134 years after all.

Today, there are more than 2,500 various champion dogs from 173 different breeds or varieties. People in this country have long been lovers of dogs and most families in this country have at least one dog in it as a pet. It continues to happen in New York as it has the entire time is has existed and several years ago, the Madison Square Garden, where the show is now held, sold out completely for the two day event because of it is increasing popularity.

In order to get a dog to make it to the Westminster Dog Show, it will take a lot of work from the best dog trainers in the world. Often, 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 biggest show of all, The Westminster Dog Show. The ultimate prize is known as Best in Show and that is the top overall dog of the event out of the entire competition. Last year’s winner was a beagle that was the first hound ever to hold this title.

 

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