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Did you know that this year marks the 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? The first one was held on May 8, 1877, making it the second-longest continuously held sporting event in the United States behind the Kentucky Derby. The show originated as a show for gun dogs, Setters and Pointers, initiated by a group of hunters who met regularly at the Westminster Hotel at Irving Place and Sixth Street. They decided to create a kennel club called the Westminster Kennel Club specifically for the purpose of holding a dog show. The first show took place at the old Madison Square Garden. The show drew over 1,200 dogs and proved so popular that its originally scheduled three days became four, with the club donating proceeds from that fourth day to the ASPCA for the creation of a home for stray and disabled dogs.
Dogs are judged against their breed standards, to see how close each dog matches that standard, which is a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed.Because of the space considerations at Madison Square Garden, the entry is limited to 2,800 dogs and the breed judging is done during the day at Piers 92 and 94. Group and Best in Show judging take place in the evening at Madison Square Garden. The winning dog becomes “America’s Dog” for the next year.It begins it’s reign with a media tour on the day following the show with appearances on many television network morning shows, a visit to the Observation Deck at the Empire State Building, and much more.
The event is embraced in New York City every February, with salutes from such world famous partners as the Empire State Building, which lights it’s tower in purple and gold ( Westminster colors ) during the show; Saks Fifth Avenue, which features a street window with a Westminster-themed display; and the New York Stock Exchange, which invites the winner to ring the opening bell following its big win.
February 15th and 16th Madison Square Garden more info and tickets @ http://thegarden.com