NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 It’s go time for thousands of America’s most dogged competitors.<\/p>\n
Big or small, sleek or shaggy, imposing or impish, they’re all trying for the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in its milestone 150th year<\/a>.<\/p>\n Might Comet the shih tzu<\/a> snag the trophy after coming close the last two years? What about Neal the bichon fris\u00e9, another 2025 finalist who\u2019s competing again? Could this be the year for Zaida the Afghan hound<\/a>, who has twice won the World Dog Show, a major international showcase, but has yet to make the finals at Westminster?<\/p>\n Or will the prize go to another well-known contender \u2014 or a dark horse?<\/p>\n Here’s what to know about the United States’ most prestigious canine competition.<\/p>\n The breed-by-breed judging \u2014 officially called \u201cconformation\u201d \u2014 happens Monday and Tuesday, at a combination of the Javits Center convention hall and Madison Square Garden. Best in show is awarded at the Garden around 11 p.m. EST Tuesday.<\/p>\n For fans who can\u2019t be there in person, Fox Sports is showing the event\u2019s various components<\/a> on FS1 and FS2 and its various streaming platforms. Westminster is streaming some, as well.<\/p>\n Some 2,500 dogs from 212 breeds and varieties (subsets of breeds) are signed up to compete. (No doodles, though. These popular poodle mixes aren’t recognized as distinct breeds by the American Kennel Club, the governing body for Westminster and many other U.S. dog shows.) There are contestants from every U.S. state and 18 other countries.<\/p>\n A few hundred more dogs, including mixed-breed<\/a> ones, competed Saturday in Westminster’s agility and flyball contests.<\/p>\n Besides Comet, Neal and Zaida, entrants include Soleil, a Belgian sheepdog who won the National Dog Show televised last Thanksgiving Day, and a Lhasa apso called JJ, who triumphed at the huge AKC National Championship that aired in late December. The runners-up from those shows \u2014 George, an American foxhound, and a Gordon setter named River \u2014 also are due at Westminster.<\/p>\n And keep an eye out for Baby Joe, a miniature schnauzer who topped national dog show standings for 2025. Don’t forget Penny the Doberman pinscher, who’s been climbing the rankings since her crowd-pleasing turn in last year’s Westminster semifinals. There’s also a high-ranking Chesapeake Bay retriever, a prominent papillon and many other buzzy contenders.<\/p>\n But anything can happen at Westminster, a champions-only show where every contestant is a proven winner. Cognoscenti often say victory goes to \u201cthe dog on the day,\u201d meaning the one that has the performance of a lifetime.<\/p>\n Whichever dog the judge chooses, others sometimes run away with the audience\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n A 2020 crowd fave, Daniel the golden retriever, is among eight past finalists or winners set to return for a special presentation Monday night. So are some other 2020 finalists, Bono the Havanese, Wilma the boxer \u2014 and Siba, the standard poodle<\/a> who defeated them all to claim that year’s best in show award. Do show dogs hold grudges? We shall see.<\/p>\n First, dogs are judged against others of their breed. Then each breed winner goes up against others in its \u201cgroup,\u201d such as terriers or herding dogs. In the final round, the seven group winners compete for best in show.<\/p>\n At each level, judges decide which dog best matches the ideal<\/a>, or \u201cstandard,\u201d for its own breed.<\/p>\n Wire fox terriers (15 wins), followed by poodles of various sizes (11).<\/p>\n Many breeds haven’t won yet<\/a>, including such favorites as Labrador and golden retrievers. But never say never: Last year’s winner, Monty<\/a>, was the first giant schnauzer chosen as best in show. He then retired from showing but is expected to join Monday’s special tribute to Westminster \u201clegends.\u201d<\/p>\n Bragging rights, ribbons and trophies. There are no cash prizes, though the agility winner gets to direct a $5,000 Westminster donation to a training club or to the American Kennel Club Humane Fund.<\/p>\n Animal welfare activists routinely protest the Westminster show. They see it as an irresponsible canine beauty contest that overlooks shelter dogs\u2019 predicament and some purebreds\u2019 health problems.<\/p>\nWhen is the Westminster dog show?<\/h2>\n
How many dogs are there?<\/h2>\n
Who are some dogs to watch?<\/h2>\n
What makes a dog best in show?<\/h2>\n
What breeds win most?<\/h2>\n
What do winners get?<\/h2>\n
Why are there protests?<\/h2>\n