The year 2000 brought us the hilarious “Best in Show” and now 20 years later, we bring you the real-life version. Just as interesting and almost as funny.
Sit. Stay. Enjoy.
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. It’s been said that no good story ever started with a salad and neither did the Westminster Dog Show. The story starts with a group of guys who met at the Westminster Hotel to boast about their hunting dogs. In 1877, they named themselves the Westminster Kennel Club after their favorite bar. Now on its 145th show and is the second longest-running sporting event after the Kentucky Derby. WHY TRY TO TEACH OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS?
2. Naming your prized show dog isn’t as easy a calling them Spot or Rover, there are strict rules on how you name your prized pooch. While Siba the Standard Poodle - show name GCHP CH Stone Run Afternoon Tea - took the title of best in show last year, but did not get paid for it. There’s no prize money. The handlers make their money by charging more for breeding rights. LUCKY DOG
3. These dogs don’t just show up and take the title, they have to work hard to get there. Like the Boston Marathon, they must qualify by winning lesser competitions to make it to the big show. In case you’re wondering over 204 breeds are welcome to compete for best in show. If you’re placing a bet on the winner, remember male dogs have won 73 times and the females, 40 times. LADIES NIGHT?
4. There are seven categories of dogs in the show and most were originally bred for hunting or life on the farm. There are also pups from the non-sporting and toy categories that are bred to be your B.F.F. LOYAL COMPANION
5. The event takes place at Madison Square Garden and the winning pup used to score a photo op with Mr. New York himself, pre-president Donald Trump at Trump Tower. Since he became president, that’s no longer an option. PRESIDENTIAL PUPS
Honorable mention – We can’t leave you without a good laugh. Here’s the "Saturday Night Live” parody of the famed pup show featuring Matt Damon. LOL
