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AKC › Dog Shows › Westminster Kennel Club

Inside The Ring: What It Means To Show At Westminster

Erin Shea | February 15, 2016 The honor that comes with showing a dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® is unparalleled. Even if they don't come home with a ribbon, many exhibitors are thrilled just to be there. So just what does it mean to step into the ring at Westminster? We asked a few exhibitors their thoughts and how the show is different than others, here are their answers:

"It's a breeder's dream, as well as a dream for owners and professional handlers, and winning is a pinnacle of their breeding program." -- Dennis Sprung, president and CEO of the AKC, at his 48th consecutive Westminster

"After being in dogs for 15 years, and breeding my first litter in 2014, [showing a dog I bred at Westminster] means a whole lot." -- Breeder/handler

"It's a thrill." -- Exhibitor

"There's a lot of prestige, but we're just here for the fun and for the experience ... there are so many cameras and so much publicity [at Westminster]." -- Exhibitor

"[What makes Westminster different is] that it's a benched show -- spectators can come and see the dogs." -- Exhibitor

“There is truly nothing like it: a packed venue, television cameras, the full press section. All eyes are on one single thing - the competition in that ring at that moment," - Judge Michael Dougherty who selected Purina® Pro Plan® Performance-fed Banana Joe as Best In Show in 2013.

"[The show is] just wonderful, it's amazing. [What made me want to come here] is the reputation of the show. I started showing last March and [the goal was] to qualify for Westminster. The benching is completely different [than other shows], and the scale is completely different." -- First-time exhibitor

"I'm 63 and [Westminster] has been on my bucket list, so I bought [my dog] out of retirement just to compete here." -- First-time exhibitor

"I wanted the opportunity to show in this environment... the camaraderie, the excitement [make Westminster different] ... and being in New York brings out the adventure." -- First-time exhibitor

"It's the Super Bowl of dog shows... it's an honor to be here." -- Exhibitor

"It's a lot of work. It's lovely to come and win but it gives us a chance to see people who we only see once a year.... and you get to go shopping [in New York]. I absolutely love [showing in the city], I'm a country girl." -- Exhibitor

Header image: Jack Grassa/WKC

Scenes from Day 1:

We don't know who's cuter - 11 year old Taylor or her #Bergamasco Shepherd, Arabella! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/KHaRyMNoRn

— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 15, 2016 A video posted by Westminster Kennel Club (@westminsterkennelclub) on Feb 15, 2016 at 11:38am PST

Junior Showmanship at the #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/WDP161g0nt

— American Kennel Club (@akcdoglovers) February 15, 2016 Ditto, English Foxhound(2)#WKCDogshow•"They hunt like Beagles, but you follow them on horseback instead of on foot." pic.twitter.com/zN4iENtCxo

— The Dogist (@thedogist) February 15, 2016 Tonight's the night! Tune in to @CNBC to watch the 140th Westminster Dog Show commence! @ProPlan @WKCDOGS pic.twitter.com/Vok8uTJgtL

— Tanker & TJ (@thetrickdog) February 15, 2016

A photo posted by Westminster Kennel Club (@westminsterkennelclub) on Feb 15, 2016 at 3:34pm PST

Dutch & Faith, Labrador Retrievers (2 y/o), #WKCDogshow, New York, NY • "They're all about tennis balls." pic.twitter.com/379yjS9i6q


A photo posted by Westminster Kennel Club (@westminsterkennelclub) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:11am PST

Updates from Day 2:

Stay golden. #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/DTQSkQp16y

— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 16, 2016

Purple & yellow lights will glow atop our tower tonight to honor the 140th Annual #WKCDogShow. May the best pup win! pic.twitter.com/FIYoviBCL0

— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) February 16, 2016

Congrats to this year's #WKCDogShow Junior Showmanship winner, Sophia Rogers! pic.twitter.com/CAxFlkAJeH

— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 17, 2016

Sponsored by Purina® Pro Plan®

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