Over 3,000 dogs representing all 50 states and more come to New York to compete in three different events. 

The 140th Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, on Monday and Tuesday, February 15-16, 2016 in New York City, reached a combined entry this year of over 3,000 dogs in three competitions. This world-famous dog show has a long history of bringing the best examples of their breeds to the viewing public as the second-longest continuously held sporting event in this country, beginning in 1877. In 2014 the show expanded to include the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster and new this year is the Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster. Continuing a tradition to display only the highest level in the sport, this competition was an invitation-only event for top-ranked obedience dogs. 

This 140th premier dog show drew an entry of 2,752 dogs. There are 199 breeds and varieties eligible for this year's show. The breeds with the largest entries are Labrador Retrievers (51), followed by Golden Retrievers (50) and French Bulldogs (48). Plus, seven breeds are making their first Westminster appearance this year: Sporting Group – Lagotto Romagnolo (9), Hound Group – Cirneco dell'Etna (10), Working Group – Boerboel (11), and Herding Group – Berger Picard (20), Miniature American Shepherd (14), Bergamasco (8) and Spanish Water Dog (10). There are 130 foreign entries and 91 entries in Junior Showmanship. Dog show judging at the breed level, along with benching and Junior Showmanship preliminary competition, will take place on Piers 92/94 at 711 12th Ave. in New York City. Group and Best In Show judging, as well as the Junior Showmanship Finals, will be held at the world-renowned Madison Square Garden on Monday and Tuesday evenings, as has been the case virtually every year since the show began in 1877. 

The third annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Pier 94. There are 330 dogs entered representing 28 states with the largest numbers coming from New Jersey (81), New York (75) and Connecticut (31). The competition will feature dogs of all breeds and mixed breed dogs (All American dogs) showing spectators and the television audience why the American Kennel Club calls agility "the most exciting canine sport for spectators." Finals will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 from 8-10 p.m. ET. 

Along with the agility competition on Saturday will be the 7th Annual AKC Meet the Breeds. This is the second year for the popular Meet & Compete event. This a joint effort between Westminster and the American Kennel Club provides an opportunity for people to interact with over 100 breeds and learn about responsible dog ownership. Due to strong response last year, Meet the Breeds has expanded to both Piers. 

Monday, February 15, 2016 marks the inaugural Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster. The nation's top obedience dogs were invited to fill a limited 35-dog entry. Competition will consist of existing AKC approved Open and Utility Exercises with some modifications. Exercises will include hand signals, retrieving over high jump and scent discrimination. There are 34 dogs from 17 states led by New Jersey and Ohio with 5 each. Golden Retrievers represent the largest entry with 13. Like agility, the obedience competition was open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs at the highest level of the sport. Competition will be held at Pier 94. 

The evening Group competition will be televised live each night from 8-11 p.m. ET. Monday's telecast of the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups will be on CNBC. Tuesday's telecast will be on USA Network and will include the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, as well as Best In Show. Televised since 1948, Westminster will once again be America's most widely-watched live telecast of a dog show. Breed judging during daytime hours will be posted with live streaming video and results on westminsterkennelclub.org and the Westminster App. 

All Westminster week events are presented by Purina Pro Plan. 

Tickets are available through westminsterkennelclub.org.