A total of 2,845 dogs are competing to be Best in Show at America's biggest dog show.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held over two days at Madison Square Garden in New York, was first held in 1877. It is second only to Crufts as the world's most prestigious dog show.
IBTimesUK goes backstage as dogs are primped and groomed for their moment in the spotlight.
Yorkshire terrier Jimmy is made ready for the showGettyStandard poodle named Paris gets ready for the dogwalkGettyJordan, a Yorkshire terrier, backstage during the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New YorkAPAbbs the Afghan hound waits in the penning areaReutersAn Irish wolfhound is groomedReutersA contestant is prepared to compete in the Teacup divisionGettyA backstage portrait of a Shih Tzu named JasperGettyA Maltese named Jewels gets ready for the showGettyKholoe, an Australian shepherd, nuzzles handler Maureen GrentusAPA competitor gives TLC tominiature poodleGettyA handler strokes an Otterhound on day one of the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New YorkReutersBill Harrington sits with his Old English sheepdog named Swagger during the 138th annual Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New YorkGettyA Brussels griffon waits to compete in the 138th annual Westminster Dog ShowGettyMojo, an old English sheepdog, gets a dusting of talc backstageReutersRaquel, a Rhodesian ridgeback, waits for the contest to beginAPA nervous cigar outside the Hotel Pennsylvania in New YorkReutersReseda and Dash, both papillons, exercise on a dog treadmill at the Affinia Hotel in New YorkReutersCydonia, a Neapolitan mastiff, gets a massage from therapist Diane Cohen at the Hotel PennsylvaniaReutersThe paw of a Standard Poodle is seen as it takes a nap in the penning areaReutersA Havanese named Saber is given a bathGettyA man sleeps next to his dog backstage at Madison Square GardenReutersA tense moment for the handlers as their dogs are judgedGettyAn Afghan competes in the Hound group during day one of judgingReuters
