OLDEST DOG SHOW | History

OLDEST DOG SHOW | History

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the longest-running dog show in the country. The tradition continues tonight with more than 2,000 dogs competing for the Best in Show title. A brief history of the show:

1877: The first New York Bench Show of Dogs, hosted by the Westminster Kennel Club, was at Gilmore’s Garden in New York City. More than 1,000 dogs entered the show.

1878: The entry fee was $2, which included feed and care for the dog.

1884: The Westminster Kennel Club was elected by the American Kennel Club as the AKC’s first member club.

1892: The entry fee for Westminster was raised from $3 to $5, where it remained until 1947.

1905: With 1,752 dogs on hand, Westminster became the largest dog show in the world.

1907: The award for Best in Show was given for the first time at Westminster.

1908: The number of entered dogs reached 2,000.

1909: Champion Warren Remedy, a smooth fox terrier, was awarded Best in Show for the third consecutive year.

1923: No Best in Show award was given because of ongoing changes in the AKC.

1933: A German shepherd owned by New York Yankee great Lou Gehrig was entered.

1937: Some 3,140 dogs were entered in the show.

1941 and 1942: Proceeds from the show were donated to the American Red Cross.

1948: The dog show was televised for the first time.

1975: Champion Sir Lancelot of Barvan, an Old English sheepdog, became the first Canadian dog to win Best in Show honors.

1987: The Westminster Kennel Foundation established an annual scholarship program for veterinary students.

1992: Westminster became the first champions-only dog show under AKC rules.

2005: For the first time, Madison Square Garden was completely sold out for both days of the show.

2008: Champion K-Run’s Park Me in First became the first beagle ever and the first hound in 25 years to win Best in Show.

Source: www.westminsterkennelclub.org