A Valentine for your pooch: Westminster Dog Show
The Westminster Dog Show is the second oldest sporting event in the country. The competition, which starts Valentine’s Day, draws aficionados, casual dog lovers, and protesters alike.
A sign is seen inside the Hotel Pennsylvania marking where dogs can go to the bathroom.The 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will run from February 14-15th and will extend its reign as the United States' second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
The 135th Westminster Dog Show begins Monday morning in Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. According to The Westminster Kennel Club the show is the first and only champions-only dog show.
Close to 2,600 dogs, embodying 179 breeds from 49 states are scheduled to participate this year, reports the Wall St Journal. Breeds anticipated making their debut at the competition include the Bluetick coonhound, Icelandic sheepdog, and the Cane Corso.
The yearly event is the second longest running sporting event in the country, one year younger than the Kentucky Derby. Interest in the event has expanded beyond hard core dog breeders and K-9 fanatics. This year’s competition will be broadcast in part by CNBC and USA Network during prime time over the competition’s two days.
Public curiosity may stem from the perceived supercilious behavior of some judges and handlers.
After all who would spend all that time and money on a pooch in times like this? Others may simply be dog lovers wanting to see who will follow in the paw prints of last year’s lovable champion Sadie the Scottish terrier.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, always has an interest in creature-related events. The organization may try to interrupt this year’s best in show crowning as it did last year. Protesters holding up signs had to be removed from center ring during the crowning of the champion.
Will you and your pooch be tuning in?