Must-Watch TV For Dog People: The Westminster Dog Show Airs Feb 12 -13

Did you know that the second longest running sporting event in the United States is a dog show? The storied Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been held since 1877—only the Kentucky Derby outdates it, and by just one year. The 2018 show—the 142nd annual!—takes place Monday, February 12th and Tuesday February 13th, with Best in Show going down on the Tuesday evening.

When To Watch From Home
Tuning in from home? Set your DVRs to record—daytime competition coverage is expanded this year! Nat Geo Wild is showing select live coverage of Breed judging, as well as the Masters Obedience Championship and Junior Showmanship. The Hounds, Toys, Non-Sporting and Herding Breeds will be televised Monday afternoon; Sporting, Working and Terrier Breeds get their turn Tuesday afternoon. Monday night the Dog Show Group competitions for Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Breeds take place and will be aired on Fox Sports. And Tuesday night will see Group competitions for Sporting, Working and Terrier Breeds broadcast live on Fox Sports, wrapping up with the main event of the evening, Best in Show!

Travel Tips For Attendees
In New York City for the show? The main event—Best in Breed and Best in Show, naturally—takes place Tuesday evening at Madison Square Garden. But for behind-the-scenes action, hit up the benching area during the daytime at The Piers, when the Best in Breed judging goes down. Westminster's benching area is where the dogs are prepped for their turn in the ring. Amazingly, this area is open to the public and our very favourite part of the whole show is wandering through taking photos, watching the elaborate grooming processes, and saying hi to and petting the dogs. Think photo ops and gorgeous dogs galore!

For a chance to meet the dogs when they’re off-duty, stay at the dog-friendly Hotel Penn, the preferred hotel for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Situated directly across the street from Madison Square Garden, where Best in Breed and Best in Show take place, this historic hotel is host to many of the competing dogs. Expect to bump into pedigreed competitors in the immense lobby as well as out front of the hotel. Interested in staying at the hotel? All sizes of dogs are welcome, the pet fee is just $25 per stay, and pets may be left in the room (say if you’re going out for dinner) provided they are in their travelling kennels. As for location, it’s right in the heart of the dog-show action—you couldn’t ask for a more convenient home base!

Meet and Compete
Agility fans attending the show won’t want to miss the Masters Agility Championship—open to purebred dogs and mixes alike! This, along with the super-fun AKC Meet The Breeds event, takes place down at The Piers on Saturday, February 10th. See you there!