Westminster Dog Show 150th Edition: A Milestone Canine Celebration
It's the moment thousands of America's most determined canine competitors have been waiting for. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is marking its extraordinary 150th anniversary this year, bringing together champion dogs from across the nation and around the globe for the United States' most prestigious canine competition.
When and Where to Watch the Historic Event
The breed-by-breed judging, formally known as conformation, takes place across Monday and Tuesday at a combination of venues including the Javits Center convention hall and the iconic Madison Square Garden. The coveted best in show award will be presented at Madison Square Garden around 11 p.m. EST on Tuesday evening.
For enthusiasts unable to attend in person, comprehensive coverage will be available through Fox Sports on its FS1 and FS2 channels, alongside various streaming platforms. The Westminster Kennel Club will also provide its own streaming options for selected segments of the competition.
The Scale and Scope of the Competition
This landmark event features approximately 2,500 dogs representing 212 distinct breeds and varieties, which are subsets of specific breeds. Contestants hail from every single U.S. state alongside 18 other countries, creating a truly international gathering of canine excellence.
It's important to note that popular poodle mixes, often referred to as doodles, will not be competing as they are not recognized as distinct breeds by the American Kennel Club, which governs Westminster and numerous other U.S. dog shows. The weekend prior saw several hundred additional dogs, including mixed-breeds, participate in Westminster's agility and flyball contests.
Top Canine Contenders to Watch Closely
The field includes numerous standout competitors with impressive pedigrees and recent victories:
- Comet the shih tzu, who has come tantalizingly close to victory in the past two years
- Neal the bichon frisé, another 2025 finalist returning for another attempt
- Zaida the Afghan hound, a two-time World Dog Show champion yet to reach Westminster finals
- Soleil the Belgian sheepdog, winner of last Thanksgiving's National Dog Show
- JJ the Lhasa apso, triumphant at the massive AKC National Championship in December
- Baby Joe the miniature schnauzer, who topped national dog show standings throughout 2025
- Penny the Doberman pinscher, rising through rankings after her crowd-pleasing semifinal performance last year
The competition also features runners-up from major shows, including George the American foxhound and River the Gordon setter, alongside a high-ranking Chesapeake Bay retriever, a prominent papillon, and numerous other serious contenders.
Westminster remains a champions-only event where every participant has already proven themselves a winner. As seasoned observers often remark, victory typically goes to the dog on the day—the competitor who delivers a lifetime performance when it matters most.
Judging Process and Historical Winners
The path to best in show follows a structured elimination process:
- Dogs are initially judged against others of their exact breed
- Each breed winner then competes within its designated group (such as terriers or herding dogs)
- The seven group winners ultimately face off in the final round for the top honor
At every stage, judges evaluate which dog most closely matches the ideal standard for its specific breed. Historically, wire fox terriers lead with 15 best in show wins, followed by various sizes of poodles with 11 victories. Many popular breeds, including Labrador and golden retrievers, have yet to claim the top prize, though last year's winner Monty proved breakthroughs are possible as the first giant schnauzer ever awarded best in show.
Prizes, Protests, and Canine Welfare Considerations
Winners receive prestigious ribbons, trophies, and significant bragging rights, though no cash prizes are awarded. The agility competition winner does direct a $5,000 Westminster donation to either a training club or the American Kennel Club Humane Fund.
The event consistently attracts animal welfare protests, with activists criticizing it as an irresponsible canine beauty contest that allegedly overlooks shelter dogs' plight and certain purebred health issues. For this milestone 150th show, PETA plans demonstrations outside venues and has erected billboards with messages like flat-faced dogs struggle to breathe, echoing aspects of their ongoing lawsuit against the American Kennel Club.
The AKC has dismissed the case as frivolous and is seeking its dismissal. Meanwhile, the Westminster club emphasizes its contributions to rescue groups, veterinary scholarships, and initiatives supporting canine welfare. Club President Donald Sturz states these efforts demonstrate an overarching commitment to responsible dog ownership and responsible dog breeding.
A special Monday night presentation will honor eight past finalists and winners, including 2020 crowd favorite Daniel the golden retriever, alongside former finalists Bono the Havanese, Wilma the boxer, and Siba the standard poodle who claimed best in show that year. Whether show dogs hold grudges remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the 150th Westminster Dog Show promises to be a historic celebration of canine excellence.
