Nearly 3,000 dogs are competing to win Best in Show at the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York. Dog owners spend a lot of money – sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars – in order to have the chance to win the top prize, but winning is more about gaining prestige and breeding opportunities as there is no monetary compensation.
The two-day event has drawn challengers from all 50 US states and 16 other countries. Now in its 142nd year, it's the second-oldest US sporting event, after the Kentucky Derby horse race. This year's competition features dogs from 201 breeds and varieties.
Before the dogs can be judged, they undergo a great deal of grooming. IBTimes UK takes you backstage at Madison Square Garden as pampered prima donnas are given a last-minute cut and blow-dry before they walk the runway.
Jambo the Briard is groomed in the benching areaShannon Stapleton/ReutersA Maltese is groomed backstage at the Westminster Kennel Club 142nd annual dog show in New YorkTimothy A Clary/AFPRembrandt, an Old English Sheepdog breed, is groomed backstageShannon Stapleton/ReutersLeo the Afghan hound is groomed backstageShannon Stapleton/ReutersA Bergamasco Sheep Dog is groomed backstageDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesA Toy Poodle waits backstage at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Timothy A Clary/AFPRobin the Maltese gets groomed backstageDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesA Rhodesian Ridgeback and handlers wait in the judging areaTimothy A Clary/AFPDivin the Afghan Hound yawns while sitting backstageDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesA Maltese has its hair done backstageTimothy A Clary/AFPAJ the Beagle is groomed before the showShannon Stapleton/ReutersWinston the Norfolk Terrier is groomed backstageDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesTwo Irish Wolfhounds sleep in the grooming areaDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesGreen the Chow Chow sticks out its black tongue backstageDrew Angerer/Getty ImagesA Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is groomedTimothy A Clary/AFPA Chinese Crested waits backstageTimothy A Clary/AFPCandace Chien plays with a Chow ChowTimothy A Clary/AFPA Standard Poodle is prepared for its time in the ringTimothy A Clary/AFPA Chinese crested dog is washed backstageTimothy A Clary/AFP
Dogs are divided into seven groups: hounds, toys, nonsporting, herding, working, sporting and terrier. The dogs crowned champion of each of the seven groups then vie for the Best in Show trophy, which will be announced around 11pm New York time tonight (Tuesday 13 February).
So far, this year's contenders include a jaunty bichon frise named Flynn, a border collie named Slick, a borzoi named Lucy and a pug named Biggie.
Flynn the bichon frise walks during judging of the non-sporting groupBrendan McDermid/ReutersSlick the border collie walks during judging of the herding groupBrendan McDermid/ReutersLucy the Borzoi walks with her handler after winning best in the hound groupBrendan McDermid/ReutersEsteban Farias hugs Biggie the pug after winning best in the Toy GroupBrendan McDermid/Reuters
