Westminster Week Trivia and Watch Party Tips

The 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is in full swing in New York City! The top dogs from around the world are there to compete in their respective agility, obedience, and conformation events over the next four days. Westminster has such a rich history and is one of the most anticipated and prestigious dog sporting events of the year! 

Here are some fun trivia facts and watch party tips from the Westminster Kennel Club to help you prepare for the big show:

Firsts at WKC

• First WKC dog show was four days long
• First breed to win Best in Show was a Smooth Fox Terrier in 1907
• First woman to judge Best in Show in the country was Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge at the WKC dog show in 1933
• First dog show on television was the WKC dog show in 1948
• First Masters Agility Championship was held in 2014
• First Masters Obedience Championship was held in 2016

WKC Historical Fun Facts

• The WKC Dog Show is the second continuously held sporting event in America, starting in 1877
• The WKC Dog Show has been held in all four Madison Square Gardens and is its oldest tenant
• The WKC Dog Show is older than the light bulb and the automobile
• Queen Victoria, General Custer, and J.P. Morgan had dogs entered at WKC

Garden Watch Party Tips

• Fill out the Purina Pro Plan® $1 Million Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Bracket Challenge before showtime at Purina.com
• Prepare the living room for your canines and any guests with some dog beds, chew toys, and a bowl of fresh water
• Make the humans a “Sensation” cocktail to enjoy and some bite-sized snacks
• Keep drinks and snacks out of reach of dogs on high tables
• Before the show, take Fido out for a bathroom break so there’s no barking to go outside during the show
• Tune in for the live broadcast at 7:00 p.m. Preshow on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 10-11 on FS1 to catch the 144th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
• Follow the action all the way through to Best in Show to see if you won the $1 million top prize in the Purina Pro Plan® $1 Million Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Bracket Challenge

WKC Best in Show Trivia

• The Wire Fox Terrier has won the most WKC Best in Shows at 15 wins
• Prior to 1930, Best in Show was judged by a panel of five judges
• Most Best in Show wins by a professional handler—tied at four each—Percy Roberts and Peter Green
• First female handler to win Best in Show at WKC was Anne Hone Rogers in 1956, and holds the record for most Best In Show wins by a female professional handler at three

We are so excited to see all of the wonderful dogs compete and work with their handlers! Will you be watching the show this year? What is your favourite part of Westmisnter Week? Share with us in the comments!