Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

February 13, 2013 · by Snackish · in Manhattan, Photography

Banana Joe, Best in Show winner

The 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show wrapped up last night with a tiny monkey-faced Affenpinscher named Banana Joe scurrying off with the Best in Show title. I’d been afraid the little squirt would win. Of all of the dogs there, I needed a photo of the winner, and seven-pound, pitch-black, perpetually-moving critters aren’t easy to photograph from across an arena. I suspected that he’d prevail, though. He seemed to have a dangerously large ego that practically soaked up cheers from a packed Madison Square Garden. It’s weird, and a little irresistible, to watch something that small exude that much confidence.

The only dog the crowd cheered harder for was my personal favorite, a magnificently fluffy 90-pound English Sheepdog named Swagger who ended up with reserve Best in Show, a runner-up award. Swagger made it to the final round in something of an upset; as a “class” dog he was a relative newcomer to dog showing with no titles, competing against champion dogs with years of experience. Class dogs were not permitted at Westminster until this year.

Swagger, reserve Best in Show winner and miracle of canine navigation. I didn’t see his eyes all night

As far as New York City events go, Westminster is one of the oldest and most massive. It’s been held in New York every year since 1877, making it the second-oldest US sporting event (behind the Kentucky Derby). This year over 2,700 dogs and 187 breeds from all over the country competed. Dogs are judged on how well they conform to their breed standard, which includes appearance, gait, and temperament. They vie for best of their breed, best of their group, which includes many breeds, and finally Best in Show. Judging occurs over two days and nights; photographically speaking, it’s an endurance sport.

Mastiff

I’m honestly not sure how judges decide who wins at the Best in Show level; these are all, technically speaking, the most perfect dogs in the country, bred by professional breeders, and shown by professional handlers. I suppose some dogs have a certain je nais se quois that sets them apart. They do seem remarkably attuned to what’s going on, especially when they win. Well, all except the dog who pooped on his way across the ring and then ate it on the return trip; way to not give a damn on national TV, buddy.

Boxer

This was my second year photographing Westminster, and I can say that if I never shoot another dog show, I know a couple things for sure. One, I was struck by how much people bond over dogs (I’ve always been a cat owner, which I guess makes me a likely candidate to be home trolling the internet or curled up with a book, missing out on all the camaraderie). And two, a lot of these dogs are bribed into being good with pockets full of chicken and treats. I don’t know what I expected before I was so disillusioned; that they were in it for the glory?

Also, my dream trivia night topic is now dog breeds. I will be unstoppable!