More than 2,800 dogs from 200 breeds are competing for the top prize in the 141st Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York, the second-oldest sporting event in the United States after the Kentucky Derby horse race. Individual breeds are judged during the day, with the winners of each moving on to group competitions on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The winners of seven groups then compete for the final Best in Show award on Tuesday night.
A Yorkshire terrier rests backstage before competing in the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog ShowDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesMiss Pooh, a saluki bred in Australia, wrapped up warm outside the Hotel Pennsylvania in midtown ManhattanMike Segar/ReutersSky Guy, an Italian greyhoundMike Segar/ReutersAn Afghan goes for the Boris Johnson lookTimothy A Clary/AFPOld English sheepdogTimothy A Clary/AFPA Brussels griffon relaxes on its owner's lap Stephanie Keith/ReutersDental check for a bichon friseMike Segar/ReutersAn owner pets her puli backstageStephanie Keith/ReutersA Chinese crestedMike Segar/ReutersFinal groom for a Lhasa apsoTimothy A Clary/AFPBichon FriseMike Segar/ReutersA Cavalier King Charles spaniel submits unhappily to its owner's groomingTimothy A Clary/AFPCullen, a springer Spaniel from Charleston, South Carolina, stands on a grooming table before competitionMike Segar/ReutersReady and waiting: a Norwegian buhundStephanie Keith/ReutersA Chinese crested and its handler, Lydia FreyTimothy A Clary/AFPKeeshondStephanie Keith/ReutersToy poodleMike Segar/ReutersA Havanese dog is judged during competitionDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesPembroke Welsh corgi looks for guidanceDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesKomondorTimothy A Clary/AFPChinese crested Powder Puff and its handler, Kristen RiddleyTimothy A Clary/AFPDog tired: a standard poodleTimothy A Clary/AFPDalmatianTimothy A Clary/AFPExotic grooming for a standard poodleTimothy A Clary/AFPLhasa apsoTimothy A Clary/AFP
A Norwegian elkhound, a Pekingese, a miniature poodle and a German shepherd became the first four finalists. Sporting dogs, working dogs and terriers will be judged on Tuesday, 14 February.
Rumor, a German shepherd, wins the Herding groupStephanie Keith/ReutersAftin, a miniature poodle, wins the Non-Sporting groupStephanie Keith/ReutersDuffy, a Norwegian elkhound, wins the Hound groupStephanie Keith/ReutersChuckie, a Pekingese, wins the Toy groupStephanie Keith/Reuters
Reigning champion CJ the German shorthaired pointer was entered in the show and came to New York, but co-owner/hander Valerie Nunes-Atkinson is not going to have him compete. There is no prize money for winning Westminster. Instead, the payoff can come in breeding rights, so owners frequently are eager to retire their champions.
