kind of a doggie person here. This caption was the best- I really laughed!
A poodle, left, heads toward the competition floor.
Thanks for the funny moment.
9
Do dog breeders love dogs or do they love fiddling with evolution or Mother Nature? Do they improve the health and longevity of a dog or do they harm health by designing physical features of a dog forced to live with the designer’s view of beauty? Do they burden taxpayers with more dogs than there are homes for them, leading to homeless dogs that a increasingly more compassionate society is trying to save with animal shelters and rescues? What responsibility do breeders have to those taxpayers and homeless dogs suffering in shelters and rescues or even on the street?
I revere wild animals that are free and autonomous, animals that through evolution are designed by nature and have a role to play in it. The animals we call pets of course now deserve our stewardship, our compassion, and our love, but true love is not ownership and manipulation of Mother Nature.
5
As a lover of all dogs, I enjoy seeing the many breeds on display, in their “perfection” of breed standards. I am a proud rescuer of two dogs: a wonderful Springer Spaniel, Artie, who passed away 13 years ago (RIP) and now a Silkie Terrier, Sparky, who is 6 and full of it.
I have often mused about a dog show where all the dogs were rescued, having a pageant of wonderful non-breed standard dogs, who are nonetheless perfect in their owners eyes.
12
Some reaction from the cat community.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFA_International_Cat_Show#/media/File:Persialainen.jpg
1
Whoever wrote the captions is my new favorite writer!
12
whoever wrote these captions deserves a Pulitzer.
11
Thanks NYT for all the wonderful pictures of this event and particularly the dogs. I just love them!
8
Well once again the bulldog is overlooked, but in my book -Thor is the best example of the breed ever.
See ya next year, big boy !
19
I love watching dog shows on TV, but the genre will never recover from "Best in Show", Christopher Gurest's wonderful comedy about Dog Shows which nailed the whole deal.I would like to give a big shoutout to all Blue Heelers!
109
@MacIver. You are so right! That movie is hilarious. (And it accurately captured a few dog show people I happen to know.)
7
@MacIver God loves a terrier....
6
“Look at me, judge!”
5
I showed English setters as a teen. Fun time, good memories and a great learning lesson. Such as, dog shows are infected by politics as much as anything. This means a professional handler beats the novice, not because the dog is superior but because the handler is a good friend of the judge. As in life and, dare I say, current events, the best dog doesn't always win.
31
@tom - While politics certainly exists in the dog show world, as in practically every sport or hobby, it isn't necessarily politics that results in the professional handler beating the novice. Professional handlers may have many years of experience (often traveling to shows every weekend) with the breeds they show, so they've become experts in grooming, conditioning, training and handling techniques that contribute to wins. Most often the dogs they show are superior specimens of their breed, since it doesn't make a lot of sense to spend money on entry and handling fees to have a dog that isn't close to ideal shown by a professional. Good handlers are also very selective about which clients they will accept.
This isn't to say a novice with a good dog has no chance whatsoever in the ring. A good judge will certainly put up the best dog no matter who is handling. Many novices are simply naturals at presenting their dogs in their best light, consequently they don't remain novices for long.
9
When a puppy I got from breeders to be a pet surprisingly grew into show dog material (to their surprise), I allowed them to show him for one year. I went along to a number of shows and got an insider's view. Many of the experienced handlers knew such things as what the judges liked to drink, etc., and politicked merrily behind the scenes (and the backbiting had nothing tp do with the dogs). This gave me such an enhanced appreciation for Christopher Guest's "Best in Show."
7
yes, it is true that handlers have more experience, but as with any occupation, the money is green regardless of where it comes from, or in this case, the show quality of the dog. Don't get me wrong, showing dogs was a great experience, and I really enjoyed and loved my dog, but I have had rescues for many years now, and they are all best in show winners.
10
Honestly, these poor animals, forced to have their hair protected in those little wrapped knots, then subjected to a flat iron, and shuttled around in crates. It's the height of human narcissism, IMO.
93
@tinabess It's like watching babies sitting in their mothers' laps at the mall, screaming their heads off as they get their ears pierced.
15
I am a lifelong dog person. Although I have always owned second-hand dogs, I used to hang around with people in the so-called Dog Fancy. I even attended a few dog shows. But now, having seen what goes into the breeding and showing those animals, and having gained enough knowledge to be able to recognize sound animals and spot the signs of irresponsible breeding, I am often sickened by what I see at Westminster.
The dogs we see in the final groups at Westminster are supposed to be top examples of their breeds. Sound breeding stock, in other words. Sometimes we do see a perfectly gorgeous and sound animal in the finals, but too often they are deformed and crippled by being bred solely to match their AKC “conformations.” Breeding a non-viable, unsound animal for appearance alone is unethical. I am not against dog breeding, but dogs should be bred — and judged — for health, function, and performance (for working or sporting breeds). A working, landrace breed like a border collie should never be judged by form alone.
Stop ruining and tormenting dogs for your own egos, dog breeders. Do you love dogs, or do you love the medals?
16
Is there a rebuttal?
1
I think they love their dogs, but somewhere along the line they let their egos get tied up with a winning dog. And perhaps they lost sight of the real beauty of their loyal, amazing friend.
4
You haven't lived until you've lived with a standard poodle. My regret is that I'm too old to handle one any more. I've had four.
19
I agree! When I was born many years ago, my parents had a huge white standard named Pierre. Everyone in my family, including both sets of grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, etc. have owned many poodles over the years. They are THE BEST!!!
5
"Best In Show"...A plot only fit for the movies!
1
Thank you for including the Chows in the gallery. No one ever shows the Chows. Love the Chows.
4
I would sit and watch the Westminster Kennel show with my beloved Montana, a golden retriever, who we got for free, 13 years ago. I would watch and make comments on this dog and that dog, but always, always reassure my Montana that he is the best in my eyes. He has been gone since November of 2019. I continue to cry for my beloved friend everyday. So to watch this show this year, has been tough. Who ever is chosen this year, I wish a happy life to the winner and to the owners. Cherish your furry friends, regardless of what their gene pool is, a loving friend is the best gift in the world.
40
@Martha White, sending you my condolences on the loss of your beloved Montana. I miss my golden boy who passed six years ago Feb 17 every day.
7
I do not think dog shows should reward breeding that causes health problems for the animal, in effect creating physical disabilities. Surely, this does not express caring for animals.
6
It's not supposed to.
3
I got two Corgis from a breeder from the same litter. They had AKC registered parents. I spayed them because it's not necessary for a dog to reproduce and it eliminates some physical problems dogs develop.
A couple years ago called and wanted to know how the girls were. I told him they were fine and spayed. I knew what he was calling about.
2
What great visual essay. Also, funny captions. Thank goodness for a bright spot and a laugh in Tuesday's news.
31
@ex-pat
Exactly!
4
Next year, I would like to see the owners and dogs switch roles. I doubt that the humans could take what these dogs go through to get to this level of competition. And I would love to see the severe hairstyling routine each dog would choose for his/her human.
26
Why do these shows exist? What is wrong with people?
Dogs -- and cats, for that matter -- are cherished companions, to love and be loved, not to be poked and prodded and bounced around in these idiotic shows.
These displays are all about human ego. It's obnoxious.
42
Give it a rest. These dogs are all given the best of care, are pampered, and thrive on the attention. All creatures would love to be given such a privileged life.
16
@Lisa Simeone I agree.
5
Needed a smile today and the Pomeranians getting fluffed did the trick!
18
cheddar the goldendoodle takes the prize in our house.
6
It is time to stop the poor breeding practices of AKC competitors. The health of these breeds has been compromised for the look of the dog. Ask any veterinarian and they can tell you the issues created by these breeders. Line breeding, breeding for a particular look has a price. The NYT shouldn't promote this event.
17
I loved seeing the Xolo . They are pretty cool. I love seeing them out walking their owners in the Condessa
7
Not a dog looking happy in the whole bunch.
10
I beg to disagree. They look quite happy for the attention etc.
11
@iowan, the entire vibe of a major dog show is one of tension. The handlers and owners are wound up, the dogs are out of their element and have often traveled a log way to be there. The lights, the noise, the confusion, the heat of the grooming area, the odd smells: all that adds up to a terrible experience for the animals. Owners will point out how calm a dog is, but that is often because the dog is shut down and exhausted, or because it has been given “a little something” for the nerves (Benadryl is common because it both calms a dog and dries up the drool).
1
Poor dogs!
13
Those poor poodles!
10
Best caption:
“A poodle, left, heads toward the competition floor.”
17
I find this article distasteful. In the name of fashion, we have ruined many great (once) breeds. The death knell for breeds is to be accepted by the AKC. Once that happens, the breed usually goes downhill and acquires health issues that weren't present before.
9
@Jane B I don't like how its presented like a Zoo. Zoos are animal prisons. Lets elevate our respect for animals and not do this anymore. New York City is banning selling pets. Finally.
3
Remember, this is about gratification and external validation for people. It has little to do with the dogs and what they need. Yet, this human vanity fair continues, fostering inbreeding with often disastrous health issues borne by the animals themselves.
I couldn't love the dogs more. The people who participate in this ridiculous need to present the "perfect breed," not so much. It's hideous to me. So many souls in shelters left abandoned.
29
The Westminster Dog Show supports the ideas of Eugenics by another name. It also highlights the issues that come from the inbreeding of a population to exaggerate certain characteristics. Pugs have respiratory issues, Dachshunds are prone to hip and back problems and Goldens are more likely to develop cancer. Support a diverse gene pool and adopt shelter animals, you and your dog will be better off because of it.
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@Dyllan Shop And/Or Adopt; everyone should have the choice; and hopefully will do so responsibly. There is nothing wrong with acquiring a well-bred purebred dog; and if we only support the shelter animals, there would eventually be no more Golden Retrievers or Bichon Frises , etc.
19
Many of these pictures are painful to look at. I wonder why this is classified under Sports rather than Entertainment? Isn't it a beauty pageant or an award ceremony?
5
More photos, please. They're great!
8
The captions are hilarious. Good job.
The best, most friendly, smartest dog I ever had was one somebody dumped at the campground I worked in one summer. I took him home with me and had him for 14 wonderful years. He died about three months ago and I miss him. Whoever dumped him missed out on a very good dog.
41
About one of the pictures. Pink hair rollers? Even for a dog that’s humiliating.
9
the poms look so happy! there's nothing better than a happy dog!
2
Looking at the photos, and taking license with the Book of Numbers, all I can say is, "What hath Man wrought".
1
The xoloitzcuintli (show-low-eats-kweent-lee) is one of the OLDEST breeds at Westminster, dating back 3,000 years or more in what is now Mexico. The breed is the guardian of and guide to the afterlife. It's only new-ish to Westminster.
14
These captions are the best thing I've seen all day. The winner? "A poodle, left, heads toward the competition floor." I'm dying over here!!
10
I'm just grateful that dogs put up with us.
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@Krismarch
The best and most honest comment I've read this week.
15
It seems to me that if the Chicago Cubs could finally win a World Series, then the beloved golden retriever should at long last win at Westminster.
17
Our Westie is a rescue from the streets of New Orleans, LA.
He's the most exquisite creature ever! Great pets are waiting under houses and in pet shelters. Waiting for you to have eyes wide open, to see the magic that awaits your life.
81
Kota, the good dog in the picture here, now 13, a Great Pyrenees rescue dog from Tennessee, lives a much more natural, fulfilling life than any of the dogs in the story here.
Never poked, prodded, paraded or bemedaled, she enjoys a big backyard complete with six huge oak trees, plenty of squirrels to chase and contemplate and a nearby park where she runs free
for hours at a time.
Who are dog shows for anyway?
Dogs or people?
17
@A. Stanton
Well, the dogs shown being groomed are all wagging their tails. The dogs shown being displayed for the judges are all wagging their tails.
7
Never poked, prodded, paraded. bemedaled or required to walk in a straight line, ....
2
This is so sad and crazy to me. Humans are manipulating other animals by breeding them for looks and temperament. In some cases, inbreeding takes place regularly, resulting in deformities, degenerative diseases and worse. Also, think of of money being spent on this nonsense. Does anyone really believe dogs enjoy being groomed and forced into submission for show? It's sick. I'm a huge dog lover but I adopted my dog from a rescue. She's beautiful, athletic, healthy and no breed. The way nature intended.
35
The pictures are funny, the human owners are sad.
10
It pains me to see the docked tails and fussy cuts on the standard poodles. I own two of this wonderful breed and it’s criminal to do this to their expressive long curled tails. Most people have never even seen an intact poodle tail. This event perpetuates this cruelty.
43
@Momdog "Criminal" is overstating it, as the dogs are not harmed by and could not care less about their silly cuts. Their owners, on the other hand, gain prestige within the narrow world of dog shows and scorn in the broad world outside of it. It makes me wonder what kind of person can be a laughing-stock and not care.
2
This is all so lovely until One realizes that it contributes to the unnecessary deaths of less ‘perfect’ dogs. Adopt a shelter animal.
54
The dogs are judged by how close they look to the dog in the AKC picture, contributing to massive inbreeding and the problems that creates. AKC also requires tails to be amputated from the dogs of many breeds, because that is their defined “breed standard.” These amputations serve no medical purpose and are outlawed in many countries.
I love dogs, but not this show.
I’d love to see a show where dogs are judged for their abilities, like agility or scent work, instead. How about a competition for best herding, retrieving, hunting, or human assistance?
55
... “So I was thinking, maybe next year we bring the big crate?”
Dog does not seem very pleased. I think he used a bit more colorful language.
13
I was sitting in the lobby of a local hotel once a few years ago while the show was on (I wasn't there for the show). A woman came in walking three Bedlington Terriers, and when she stopped to chat with someone, one of the Bedlingtons walked over to me, put its head in my lap and what am I going to do, NOT pet it? It stayed there for twenty minutes while the woman talked. The terrier gave me "thank you" eyes when she finally moved them on.
80
These photos and comments are SOOO appreciated!
11
Wonderful photos, splendid captions, of which I would revise only one: “A group of Dalmations is spotted at Pier 94.”
37
@Nancy M. Doctor
Great comment and so dang punny and funny.
4
I love these pictures and captions so much
11
My dog spent her morning bounding through the rain and mud at a local park with a couple of equally unpedigreed friends. In her mind, that's as good as life can get. And in my mind, whatever she happens to be is the very best of breed(s).
45
I laughed, I marvelled, I swooned. Best collection of photos I've seen in a long while. I want to get down on my knees and give every single one of these dogs a big head scratch and tummy rub. How do their owners get anything done with all that adorable distraction?
12
What no pugs? No French bulldogs? Great photos and captions.
1
@Garry
Pugs showed this morning, I am sure photos from today's judging will be posted later.
The more I see of dog compettions, the less I like it.
13
Dogs are the best people. We don’t deserve them...
42
On Sunday, in a small protest to the Oscars, we watched the WKC Masters Agility show for the first time. It was an excellent choice as the show was enormously entertaining.
11
The photographs and tiny movies are fabulous!
They are almost "scratch and sniff"! Doggie shampoo and
tufts of hair.
So appreciated!
4
For those of you who are advocating for adopting dogs at animal shelters, keep in mind this one disturbing trend. Dogs are being imported to the US by breeders in foreign countries and being sold as rescues. These so-called rescues are actually being bred at mills that used to sell dog meat for human consumption. It is now more economically viable to dump these dogs onto the US market as pets. Government regulation is needed to prevent this abuse and to safeguard the US dog population from introduced diseases.
20
@Roger T
No doubt, but those dogs have a better chance here as a pet than cooking in a pot on the stove in east Asia.
@Roger T
Good God. What next?
Great captions! Made me chuckle. Thanks for the laughs.
38
Pretty cool photos, especially when the faces of most of the handlers aren't shown, just photos of the dogs.
My favorite is of the three dalmatians. A triad of white splashed with various black spots.
A very stunning photo.
22
Wonderful to read this upbeat and enjoyable NYTimes article this morning as a diversion from the usual nasty and mean-spirited news-cycle - and that is not a jab in any way at the Times...it's just where we are in this country at the moment.
76
People, adopt a dog from a shelter/pound. You will feel rescued.
150
I agree but want to point out that there are breed specific rescues if one is looking for a pure ( or near pure) bred dog. This is a good option as older dogs are often past the adorable but destructive puppy stage, housebroken, screened for health and behavior problems, spayed or neutered, etc. If the rescue isn’t in your area, often there are volunteers willing to do legs of transport. I have two gems from rescues sleeping next to me right now and highly recommend it.
7
@Checker How have you managed to watch TV and not see ads from the ASPCA?
2
No doubt Westminster is the Show of Shows! But going to local shows is an absolute blast because the owners still take the competition seriously, but the dogs? Especially the younger ones... not so much! Support your local dog doings... you’ll have a lot of fun.
33
@NinaMargo Try to see a benched show if possible, although there are only a few! That's a show where the dogs are required to spend time out of their crates, for people to look at and meet. The one I used to go to was at the Cow Palace in the Bay Area, in early February.
4
Wonderful photos! What is the breed of dog that was napping? He's adorable. And as a cat person I will say this, my cat would never tolerate any of this.
9
@susan The napping dogs are Chows.
1
@susan - I believe they were Chow Chows.
1
@susan Those are chow chows. Notoriously difficult to train, require lots of grooming, and beautiful. Had a couple many decades ago.
2
According to the ASPCA, 1.5 million pets are euthanized each year in the United States. 670,000 of these animals are dogs. Isn’t it time the Westminster Dog Show addressed this issue?
85
It’s a dog show about dog breeds. There are other groups that address this. Certainly no one is stopping you from doing your part in this regard.
20
@Ernie I do practice what I preach. Rescued and fostered over 30 small dogs!
9
@Antonia I suggest you adopt a dog, there is no requirement for you to purchase a purebred puppy.
2
These dogs at the show get better treatment than most humans. My opinion of a real dog is the African painted dogs, they don't need humans to groom them and feed them. Perhaps I should also include the dogs working at the airports to sniff out dangerous things some humans bring in from foreign countries.
@Tonjo The first time I visited Australia and walked off the plane into the Sydney airport, I couldn't believe how many beagles were there to sniff for drugs and explosives. I mean, there were at least two dozen -- the airport is very large -- and I felt as though I were at a beagle dog show. Not only do they have excellent noses, they are good PR b/c they're so cute, not intimidating like some of the bigger breeds. When one of them came up to my open duffel, he saw my small box of Kleenex and immediately started pulling out tissue after tissue. The handler apologized and said, "He's not supposed to do that." I laughed and said my dog at home always did the same thing whenever we left a box within her reach. Pop-up Kleenex must be irresistible to some dogs.
12
@Tonjo, fun fact here. Beagles are deployed at O’Hare Airport to sniff for food contraband. We have a rescue beagle and there’s no other nose for food like it. Beagles will go to the ends of the earth for a morsel of food. ORD figures no one is afraid of a Snoopy and the dog will go right for the grandma bringing in the contraband sausage - the dog is never wrong.
9
A shout out to the PHOTOGS for the wonderful pictures!
62
And the caption writers!
17
Cute article, and the event is OK, if you have the time, the money and the intense interest. I have only the first one.
2
Enjoyable article, and hopefully none of the participants lost their Busy Bee.
28
I'm bookmarking this to cheer me up again on the next gloomy day.
17
In memory of the great Donald McCaig: Free the Border Collies! https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Wars-Border-Battled-American/dp/0983484503
I have never seen one looking other-than-miserable in these beauty contests.
5
This is the apex of articles.
2
Nice job on the photo captions!
21
More photos please!!!!
17
Where’s busy bee?!?!? You’re freaking out!!!!
19
Thank you for the wonderful photos and captions! Really enjoyed reading this article!
32
My parents showed poodles for many years. I found the dogs very well behaved and the owners not so much. The seriousness of this and all dog shows can not be depicted in these photos. I got to the point I hated going as a college student because I was ignored by the mother I saw infrequently. At times one just wanted to say “ Lighten up!”
Thanks for this walk down memory lane and for making light of something that should not be quite so serious. After all, these are dogs, man’s best friend.
19
@Ann winer To your mother this was as important as life and death.
2
Exactly! But the question was why. It was a hobby not a business.
1
@Donald Luke
Her attitude to her daughter, not so much?
2
I love the captions/comments under the photos! Very entertaining! They're not unlike the comments about the fashion parade at the Oscars. Those made me smile and laugh too. A bit of much-needed amusement in today's frightening world.
88
@Mary
Ha ha ha ha ha!
I agree.
I loved the line, “So I was thinking, maybe next year we bring the big crate?” - that clearly depicts what the bulldog (? - apologies if I got the species wrong) is communicating to his/her handler.
4
So cute yet a part of me cringes when I consider all the beautiful doggies up for adoption at shelter and rescue centers. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the show included a "Best Rescue" category? The winner would inspire dog lovers everywhere to go to the nearest shelter when looking for a new pet.
197
@Kristine I have an adopted dog but I must admit I would love to have one of these dogs .
4
@Kristine - The cat shows I go to have a "Household Pet" category. They are judged on their behavior more than their looks. I don't know if the dog shows like Westminster have that as well; maybe they just don't sho that category.
6
@Fastcat There's a hilarious James Herriot story about judging the household pet competition. He was asked to compare rabbits, cats, dogs, and a little boy with a goldfish.
17
Westminster is far more glamorous than Fashion Week or the Oscars.....I miss going every year....an incredible experience and the dogs are gorgeous and the people are wonderful......a must see at least once in your life.
43
I adopted a terrier puppy from a rescue 10 years ago. The vet at the time told me she was probably a Yorkie, yet as she grew, her behaviors and larger frame did not mesh with the breed. Not only did she dig, chase critters, and hide bones everywhere, but she was spunky, playful, and overly friendly.. definitely not a lap dog! It was one of these fine judges who I met coincidentally while traveling in Norway who saw her picture and told me she was 100% an Australian Silky Terrier, a cousin breed resembling the Yorkie, but not common in North America. I’ve been a fan of dog shows and their judges ever since!
50
@Donald Luke I love her regardless of the breed. I fell in love with her when I went to adopt her. Just interesting to learn more about her spirited nature from a Westminister judge when we were thinking she was a different breed.
12
@JM Congratulations. Your dog has stolen your heart once she was identified as a less than common true breed.
1