At the Westminster Dog Show, dogs are royalty. Humans are but their loyal, sometimes frantic, attendants.
Held annually in New York City, the competition is the most prestigious of its kind and one of the longest continuously running sporting events in U.S. history. It’s older than the Super Bowl, the U.S. Open (both tennis and golf), and the World Series. Not even world-altering events like the Great Depression, a world war, or a pandemic have stopped the Westminster Kennel Club from declaring Best in Show.
This month, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize. “He always tries so hard, and we’re just proud of him,” his handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin told the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
The floor of the arena was a swirl of activity. Handlers dressed in everything from sequined blazers to sensible sneakers hastily moved about, each with a dog that looked like it just stepped out of the best salon. There were towering Great Danes, tiny, trembling Chihuahuas, and every shape of fluff in between. The people here came from all over, too—a blend of small-town breeders, lifelong show pros, and juniors stepping into the ring for the first time, carrying on a family tradition.
Behind the scenes at the Westminster Dog Show, there was a mix of nerves and excitement, last-minute brushing, pep talks, and pockets full of treats. It was the best kind of chaos: poodles getting last-minute hairspray touch-ups, basset hounds sprawled out like they own the place, and a handler pushing a stroller with a perfectly groomed Shih Tzu inside, completely unbothered by the commotion.
But in the ring? In the ring, it was all serious focus.
Elizabeth Edgerton and Remedy the Briard
How would you describe Remedy? She’s a very happy girl. She might not seem like it right now. She’s in serious mode, but at home she loves to play around in the mud. She likes to get dirty as possible. She loves playing with other dogs. She loves to hang out with the kids. She’s a great dog.
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