An event in New York City that brings together celebrities, former dancers, and some of the most stunning grooming seen outside of Hollywood;  sounds like television show, Dancing with the Stars, has hit the east coast.  But what this buzz is all about is the 136^th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, live from Madison Square Garden,February 13^th and 14^th.  A once a year opportunity to take home a winning title brings out a fierce competition!

Bright Lights, Dog City: Westminster Dog Show is Here Again

By Jorge Bendersky

“In New York City this Valentine’s Day, glancing up you might spot the Empire State Building glowing purple and gold.  A homage to advancement of gay marriage rights? Lovely thought, but not even close.  Purple and gold are the Westminster Kennel Club’s signature colors and a sign that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has arrived.  This competition is an opportunity for the best breeders in the world to show off their breeding program, and compete for a title.  A dog boasting the heritage of a championship line or even having a celebrity owner, doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing because this show is reserved to dogs already holding American Championship titles, and competition is fierce.

A prancing poodle with perfect bracelets and a nice round pom might look more like something seen on Toddlers and Tiaras, but all that primping is about more than looks.  A pretty face but sub-par specimen of dog need not apply, because being picture perfect goes deeper than a nice coat and a hot trot. Grooming is, of course, a key element, but the right diet, physical fitness, training, and relationship with the handler are important factors when it comes time for a dog’s turn in the ring.  Who better to understand the pressure of being physically perfect than former dancers from the New York City Ballet, Heather Watts and Damien Woetzel? But understanding the pressure won’t necessarily help when their Golden Retrievers take their twirl in the ring, facing comparison to the standards of perfection for the breed.  Tutus aside, crowning a champion is serious business.

That serious business will get a little more interesting in its 136^th year, as the WKC  is making sure the competition isn’t predictable by introducing six new competing breeds, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and show groups. From fluffy, like the Finnish Lapphund, a reindeer herding dog, or hairless, like the Xoloitzcuintli, the national breed of Mexico, this change shows dedication to preserving the purity of recognized breeds.

A champion dog’s show life might be short, whether sired by a Westminster winner, or with a celebrity sugar daddy, like Bill Cosby, and eventually, each dog will retire to the ease and simplicity of a pet dog’s life.  But while the lights are bright at Madison Square Garden on February 13^th and 14^th dog lovers everywhere have the opportunity to see what this sport’s favorite spectacle is really all about. ”

PS-On Friday, February 10th from 6-11 PM come and say hello to us at the Tails Untold Booth at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show Friday Feb 10th – http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/