Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show | NYC Events

Both top breeders and casual dog lovers will gather for this annual NYC Events.

About Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show:
The most prestigious of the many dog shows held around the country every year, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the competition by which all others are considered. Held every single year since 1877, even during the War Years, this NYC Event holds the distinction of being the second longest running perennial sporting event in the country, behind the Kentucky Derby, which was founded two years earlier.

Initially conceived as a show for hunting and retrieving canines, called gun or bird dogs, the show fetched its name from the Westminster Hotel, which used to occupy a space at Irving Place and 16th St. in Manhattan. The hotel was the regular gathering place for elite hunters in the area. It was these sportsmen who founded the Kennel Club bearing the name of their de facto club house with the idea of establishing a dog show.

The first show was held at Gilmore Gardens on May 8, 1877, and 140 years later this Event in NYC is still staged on the same real estate, now known as Madison Square Garden, though today’s shows are bigger, with upwards of 3,000 entries, and they now take place in 2 separate venues. The Breed and Junior Showmanship competitions are presently conducted at the Pier 92/94 venue along the Hudson River on 12th. At Madison Square Garden the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show coveted Best in Show event is presented along with other categories. It takes judges a full two days to evaluate all the entries and decide who will compete in the main categories of the show.

When planning to attend the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show a little information can go a long way in minimizing unforeseen issues and getting the most out of your experience at this NYC Event.  The show is not a very action packed event so you may not want to bring the little ones. If you do bring children, bring along a stroller and coloring books, or electronics to keep them occupied. For those that are not very dog savvy, reading up on the breeds and the contest itself will always make an event more intriguing.

Make sure to get your tickets in advance as the draw for the show is substantial and you don’t want to be left out. Tickets for this NYC Event can be purchased on the Kennel Club website as well as other ticket sellers online. Ticket prices vary so be sure to check the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show website for cost and to learn which events are held each day. If you are in New York City during this once a year contest, don’t miss the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.