Meet The Breeds

October 24, 2012 · by Snackish · in Manhattan, Photography

Tito poses for the camera

This past weekend I rode the escalators down into Javits Center’s underground arena for Meet The Breeds, the world’s largest annual showcase of cats and dogs. Woozy from lack of sleep, clutching a camera that felt like a bowling ball, ambivalently hungry from wafts of fake-buttered popcorn, I meandered through breed displays tightly packed with spectators. The animals I was supposed to be photographing were hidden behind the crowds but I hesitated to push aside Girl Scout troops and families. Then I spotted Tito the Pomeranian sitting up in a star-spangled tie, practically begging me to take his picture. My sour mood vanished, obliterated by cuteness.

Selkirk Rex—called the “cat in sheep’s clothing” for its soft, curly coat

And that’s pretty much how the rest of the afternoon went; a succession of 200 gorgeous dog and cat breeds, all with meticulously groomed coats and sweet tempers. A few of the dogs seemed overwhelmed by the petting and attention, but I was particularly impressed by the cats, who were prone to posing and seemed mostly unperturbed. It made me wonder if the please-pet-me/now-go-away mood swings I’d chalked up to normal cat behavior were actually the machinations of emotionally unbalanced felines.

Chillaxed Maine Coon – the largest cat breed

I missed the canine and feline agility events, the skateboarding bulldog, and the dancing sheltie, but I did manage to catch the Meow Wear Kitty Cat-ure Fashion Show, which was amazing. A fluffy and dignified Santa cat, hairless ballerina cat, and a tiny king who held his dramatic pose for several long seconds drew impressed murmurs from the crowd. Other highlights from the breed exhibits were the “toygers,” cats bred to look like tiny tigers, an awesome sphinx who seemed to have world domination on the brain, and the happiest Westie I’ve ever seen. I mean, personally I’d probably still adopt a shelter mutt but—gahhh. That little guy was cute.