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🥇 The Verdict on Westminster

🥇 The Verdict on Westminster

We went, we judged, and we got answers...

May 12, 2023

In Today’s Email:

The 147th Westminster: Wait, 147 years? Really?
“The Squeeze” aka The Internet’s Best Dog News in 60 seconds.
The Last Laugh: What we’re laughing with. Not at.

The 147th Westminster Dog Show Just Ended. Here Are 10 Questions You’re Probably Asking Right Now.

Did Westminster really start in 1877?!

Yes and please don’t shout. If anything in this country can last that long, it makes sense that it was a show about pets. After the Kentucky Derby, the Westminster Dog Show is the second-oldest continuously run sporting event in American history. In the 1870s, a group of guys got together at the bar at the Westminster Hotel and they wanted a way to celebrate their cool hunting dogs so they named themselves the Westminster Kennel Club (after their favorite bar, natch) and hosted the First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs. It was held at Gilmore’s Garden, that would later come to be known as Madison Square Garden. But if you want to impress someone with some more factoids, you can tell them that the “Best in Show” competition didn’t formally begin until 30 years later, in 1907.

Who won this year and what did they win?

Technically that’s two questions but we’ll let it slide. Buddy Holly, a Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen won 2023’s Best in Show. According to the AKC, here are some facts about the breed.

*The GBGV is a rare breed in the US that originated from France and were known as a “poor man’s hunting dog” which is kinda rude but that’s history I guess.

*The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens were used to hunt wolves and deer which is pretty badass. And if the name of the breed sounds familiar, it’s because there is a similar breed called The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens who used to hunt rabbit, hare, and sometimes birds. But the PBVB and GBVB did not become separate breeds until the 1970s.

*The first GBGV to come to the United States came in 1990, and the first litter was born in 1994.

In terms of prizes, the winner of Westminster’s Best in Show receives no monetary prize. Just the title of “Best in Show.” If you’re looking to make some cash, the American Kennel Club National Championship rewards $50,000 to the dog that takes home Best in Show.

Wasn’t there a movie about this?

Kinda, but not really. There was a 2000 mockumentary called Best in Show about a group of professional handlers vying for “Best in Show” at the fictitious “Mayflower Kennel Club” Dog Show. It’s currently streaming on Hulu and most would call it a comedy classic and essential viewing.

Why Are Dog Shows A Thing?

The reason why dog shows exist today is very close to the reason they were originally created (nearly 150 years ago). People love their dogs, they love celebrating them, and they want to make sure people know their kind of dog rules. Also, it makes sense that a bunch of drunk guys wanting to celebrate their hunting dogs would want to turn this into a competition.

So you had the dudes with the hunting dogs at that bar in NYC in the 1850s, and then according to the New York Times, “The Masters of Foxhounds in England began to have hound shows at the start of the 19th century. An exhibition for pugs was held on May 30, 1850, but it turned out to be a social affair. Two years later a series of shows for spaniels and, small dogs was held at the Queen's Head Tavern in London.”

Nowadays, dog shows are seen to play a vital role in evaluating and improving dog breeds, promoting responsible ownership, and fostering a community of passionate dog enthusiasts. These events provide a platform for education, networking, and the celebration of the unique qualities and abilities of different dog breeds. Also a lot of those who show at dog shows love continuing the legacy of their breed, and continue to enter into dog shows for “breed awareness.”

Neat. Which breed’s won the most “Best in Show” awards at Westminster?

The Wire Fox Terrier has won the most of any breed, taking home “Best in Show” a total of 15 times. After the Wire Fox is the Scottish Terrier with 8 wins. (via Yahoo)

And the judging is based on what, now?

So this is where Westminster is gonna lose some folks. If you dive into it, the judging (which is really different for every breed) is solely based on appearance. This simple fact has been at the center of the biggest controversy looming over Westminster.

With over 200 breeds competing, there are very firm rules with each one, and a dog can be disqualified for certain deviations from the standard.

According to Treehugger, “The standard for an Afghan Hound includes a height requirement of ‘27 inches, plus or minus one inch; bitches, 25 inches, plus or minus one inch,’ and a weight requirement of ‘About 60 pounds; bitches, about 50 pounds.’ There are also precise requirements for their gait, coat, and the size and shape of the head, tail, and body. As for temperament, an Afghan Hound found with ‘sharpness or shyness’ is faulted and loses points because they should be ‘aloof and dignified, yet gay.’”

Aside from the oddly rigid rules on breed standards, Westminster is not a stranger to their fair share of controversies, including two PETA members storming the stage during the finals in 2010 with signs that read "Mutts Rule,” and even more concerning, a NYT report of kennel safety concerns. And that really gets to the heart of the problem: The American Kennel Club, the organization behind Westminster.

The previous article begins by explaining that the AKC, once widely regarded as the authoritative voice on dog breeds and standards, has faced increasing criticism in recent years. Concerns include the AKC's focus on breed purity and appearance, its (lack of) handling of genetic health issues, its relationship with commercial breeders and puppy mills, and the perceived elitism of dog shows. Critics argue that these issues have led many to view the AKC as out of touch with modern understandings of responsible dog breeding and ownership.

Professional Dog Trainer Marisa Scully wrote a compelling argument in The Guardian where she discussed some ways that shows like Westminster could adjust their thinking:

“Consider the main genetic factors that enable a dog to live successfully as a companion animal: health, temperament and function. Westminster doesn’t claim to evaluate these criteria. Instead, there’s almost an exclusive emphasis on physical appearance rather than an account of all the information together. It creates a case where one of the least important aspects is accounted for as the most important thing due to its popularity.”

Have Any Rescue Dogs Ever Won?

Unless a rescue is a purebred and adhere’s to the specific breeding guidelines set forth by the AKC, then they would be prohibited from participating. Which is really a bummer. This is another big point of contention in the dog community: that dog shows like Wesminster are outdated, elitest and exclusionary.

But here’s a really neat piece of news: This rescue defied the odds and made it to the Westminster Agility Finals!

Here’s some other positive news: New York is home to both the United States’ most prestigious dog show and its oldest humane society, the ASPCA. Their histories connect: Some proceeds from the inaugural Westminster show, in 1877, helped the young ASPCA build its first shelter years later.

According to the previously linked article, “Westminster stresses that it aims ‘to create a better world for all dogs,’ and the club donates thousands of dollars a year to individual breeds' rescue groups and to pet-friendly domestic violence shelters. Still, the show draws protests every year from animal-rights activists who argue that spotlighting prized purebreds leaves shelter pets in the shadows.”

Oy. Are there any breeds that never won?

You’re not gonna like this answer either. Yes, some of the goodest of boys and girls have never won. This is probably a list of my favorite breeds in the world, so it really hurt to even type this out…

Breeds that have NEVER won Best in Show: