One of the greatest rites of spring is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in Madison Square Garden in New York City. The 138 year old event typically overlaps with Valentine’s Day and pitchers reporting for professional baseball season. To me, it says warmth is not too far away. The event has spawned a cult favorite movie, “Best in Show” and has provided more fame for Joe Garagiola, Sr. than any bust in Cooperstown and TODAY hosting show duties ever could. It is definitely on my bucket list.
I love the parade of beautiful dogs escorted by awkwardly, passionate handlers. The odd mixture of objective breed standards hiding the real subjectivity in the judge’s evaluation is magical.
It wonderful that that mixed breeds will now be allowed to participate alongside the pure breeds in the agility competitions this year for the first time. I hope that more open completions are included in the future. I whole heartily support Matt Bershadker, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, hope that introducing mixed breeds at Westminster will lead emphasis "away from the aesthetics of dogs to what is special about dogs ... the very, very special connection that people have with dogs."
To that end, I suggest additional categories. Ones that go beyond the rewarding of “jock” dogs (90% that are purebreds) and the antiquated existing grouping, such as The Terrier Group, Sporting Group, and Non-Sporting Group, Toy Group, Hound Group and Herding Group. I would contend that dogs such as the Welsh Corgi (now in the herding group) should be put in the “nicest smile group” (open category). I would like to see other grouping such as “best family dog”, “best beggar for snacks” (meat and vegetable categories), “best at getting under the covers”, “most popular at the Dog Park” and " best greeter". Existing categories such as the “toy” group are insulting (to any living thing labeled as such), and might be replaced with “best city dog”, “best couch pillow imitation” or “best fashion accessory “ (male and female category). The point is--- the existing groupings are no longer relevant to the real talents and functions of modern dogs (mixed or pure). Much to the chagrin of the NRA, most dogs “don’t hunt”; we need to match real contemporary function to the groupings. Members of Dog Community suggest a category that your dog would excel!