5 Fun Facts About the Westminster Dog Show

For years, the very name, Westminster Dog Show, has been synonymous with New York City nostalgia, the upper crust, and all things dignified and slightly mysterious. Yet behind the scenes, and beyond the images of posh poodles with better stylists than most B-list celebrities, are some trivia that might have you cocking your head.

1. And the pistol goes to …

The Westminster Kennel Club began among a group of gentlemen hunters that would regularly meet at the Westminster Hotel in New York City to socialize and share in their interest of hunting dogs. The prizes for these early dog shows, many times, took the form of pearl-handled pistols…

2. Longest Continuously Held Sporting Event in the Country….

Almost In 1877, years before the NFL or Major League Baseball was established, the purebred competitors of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show were being groomed for glory. This competition is outdated only by one Kentucky Derby and that is only by a year.

3. The Westminster Dogs Have Trampled All the "Gardens"

This dog show has been staged at every previous incarnation of Madison Square Gardens and will soon be held at Madison Square Gardens IV. It is one of only four events to be held in all four "Gardens" locations.

4. Lou Gehrig's Original Gig

In 1933, a man named Lou Gehrig entered his German shepherd into the competition. "Afra of Cosalta" placed second in the Open eh-hem female dog class. Gehrig, apparently unsatisfied with second place, moved on to play baseball. He turned out to be pretty good.

5. "Beaglemania"

In 2008, Ch. K-Run's Park Me in First, better known as "Uno," became the first Beagle in history and the first Hound in 25 years to win Best in Show at Westminster. His victory was celebrated with a year-long tour that came to be known as "Beaglemania." 

"Uno" became the first Westminster winner to visit the White House. Later that year, he rang the bell to open the NASDAQ market, threw out the first pitch at major league baseball games, and was spotted on the Peanuts float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year, The Westminster Kennel Club 138^th Annual Dog Show will be held on Monday and Tuesday, February 10^th & 11^th, at The Piers 92/94, 711 12^th Avenue at 55^th Street and West Side Highway, New York, NY. Gates will open at 6pm for the best of breed benching area.