February 14, 2010

PetScoop: At Westminster Dog Show, Do Big Bucks and Influence Prevail?

Happy Valentine's Day! A reminder that the 134th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held this Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. There's been lots of interest in the three new breeds. Breed judging highlight videos will be available throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday on the Westminster web site.

What does it take to be top dog? In this, as is too often the case in our American society, it's about money and politics, according to a New York Times article on the subject, Hype, Money and Cornstarch: What It Takes to Win at Westminster. Interesting read.

The bucks. They are the not-so-secret key to success at this and other top dog shows held every year. On Monday, when Madison Square Garden in Manhattan hosts the 2010 Westminster Dog Show, the most prestigious event on the thoroughbred canine calendar, money will quietly play a role in determining the winner, just as money quietly shaped the field of contenders -- and just as money shapes almost every nook and cranny of the dog show business.

The schedule is as follows:

All Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding breeds and varieties will be judged on Monday, with Groups judged on Monday evening.
TV Coverage: 8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network. 9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC
All Sporting, Working, and Terrier breeds and varieties will be judged on Tuesday, with Groups judged on Tuesday evening. Best In Show will also be judged on Tuesday evening.
TV Coverage: 8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
All Junior Showmanship preliminaries will be judged on Monday afternoon, with the finals to be held at 7:30PM on Tuesday evening.

Image: 2010 Poster "WESTMINSTER. THERE'S ONLY ONE."