Behind the Scenes at Westminster

 
All the news outlets around the nation have been printing and posting stories about the road to Westminster often highlighting the lucky few from their state that made the cut and will be competing at the main. Then there is covereage of group judging and Best in Show by the USA Network televised live so all of us at home can enjoy the show.

There is so much more that goes on behind the camera’s and flashing lights to lead up to that final moment.  Actually for many of the people that make the journey to NYC for Westminster they know they will never make the cut and in fact hope they don’t make the cut to Group judging. Their dream is to take home an Award of Merit (AOM). Meaning the judge really liked their dog and so are giving them an award

I thought I would write about Westminster starting the Friday morning before so you can get a taste of what the event is really like from the perspective of a competitor or at least someone with a Toy dog (Indiana competed at Westminster Weekend 2007 right before we left for Hong Kong). Its all about Westminster Weekend at Hotel Pennsylvania. Friday is the Toy Breed Show where not only those who made the cut for Westminster but all the local Tri-State dogs come to compete. The area is small and the ring is really tight especially if you have a breed with a lot of entries but it gives everyone a chance to see who their competition will be for the big event and check out the up and coming dogs (since puppies do compete at Westminster Weekend not just champions like for Westminster).

Its a less stressful atmosphere for the competitors at least. This isn’t necessarily the show I would send an observer to unless they were there visiting a friend or wanted to see specific dogs. People who just want to hang out with the dogs and meet a few friendly breeds are better off just finding someplace to sit in the lobby of Hotel Pennsylvania to watch as the larger dogs check in and the different breeds come downstairs from the rooms for judging. You will find owners, handlers, and breeders willing to take the time to speak with you and let you touch and feel their dogs (at least once they are done competing for the day). You can feel the excitement in the air from the people and the dogs it is just a great way to get to meet everyone and experience their personality.

The entire weekend is devoted to breed specialty shows some have events all weekend long like the toy breeds that tend to have the toy breed show and then Saturday and Sunday Specialties. The smaller breeds tend to stay at Hotel Pennsylvania while the bigger breeds whose dogs are too big for the small area inside the hotel often go to the Meadowlands or other New Jersey or Long Island venues in order to hold their specialty shows where the rings are larger and there is more space to maneuver their bigger dogs.