Westminster Dog Show

Created in 1877, the Westminster Dog Show is the oldest purebred dog show.  Their mission is “to celebrate the companionship of dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership, health, and breed preservation.” The dogs are evaluated against their breed standard by expert judges. 

Dog Show Requirements

The dog must be registered with the American Kennel Club and recognized as a Champion dog. Only 2500 dogs are allowed in and breed judging takes place over 3 days. 

On an interesting note, in 2014 a new competition was added, the “All American Dog” Agility Championship. This competition is open to mix-breed dogs. 

doberman dog breed winner of westminster shown

The Doberman has won the Westminster Best In Show four times.

1939 – Ferry v Rauhfelsen of Giralda

1952 & 1953 – Rancho Dobe’s Storm, a two-time winner! You can see him in the video below.

1989 – Royal Tudor’s Wild As The Wild

In 2010, the Westminster Dog Show attracted  PETA, the controversial animal rights group. They protested outside the event holding signs that read “Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs Chances”. PETA protestors actually made it onto the show ring, rudely interrupting the best in show round.  Included in the best in show last year was Doberman, Ch Allure “Blazing Star” Alisaton.  While I am a supporter of people adopting dogs from shelters, rescues, and avoiding puppy mills and backyard breeders, criticizing this international event is not effective. Peta should make better use of their resources and instead of using this event to gain publicity, they should be protesting BYB, not this dog show. The Westminster Dog Show is a celebration of all the wonderful breeds that are much loved and cared for by their owners. 

So how did our favorite breed, the Doberman do this year? Best of Breed went to GCH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici or “Fifi”, owned by Jocelyn & Kevin Mullins. Judging was done by Dr. Robert Smith. Best of the Working Group went to a Portuguese Water Dog named GCH Aviators Luck Be A Lady “Ladybug”.  Best In Show went to a Scottish Deerhound named GCH Foxcliffe “Hickory” Wind.

How do you feel about the Westminster Dog Show and Peta’s protest?

7 thoughts on “Westminster Dog Show”

  1. I have been a participant in the Westminster show. I felt it to be a great honor. I value all dogs and give to shelters monetarily and clothing, food, blankets, vitamins. I feel it Peta has their place, but breeders work hard to develop a specific breed for a specific purpose, especially the working dogs. While I have considered other breeds as my companion, in my heart of hearts I always come back to the doberman.

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  2. In my opinion this video is very sad and PETA is right when they point out the injustices that prevail in Dobermans. Dobermans are really great to look at. Why should this great and by nature beautiful dogs pervert with croped ears and croped tail? Terrible in my opinion! In Germany cropping is forbidden to happiness. Germany sets a great example here!

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  3. How shameful and short-sighted PETA activists can be! Part of the reason there are so many dogs in shelters and rescue groups is due to irresponsible breeding. The PETA people should be supporting and celebrating the efforts of the hobby show breeders who work so hard to dramatically reduce the appearance of genetically-linked health problems through their breeding programs. The dams are sires are carefully selected to avoid dogs with any health issues, and greatly improve the chances for a puppy to be healthy, without hip dysplasia, elbow problems, eye problems, etc. Puppies that grow into sick or crippled adults, required expensive medical care, often end up in shelters and become rescue dogs, or worse, placed in a kill shelter.

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  4. I totally agree with Jeff Casper. There are enough issues with animals being mistreated out there. And at a dog show these dogs are treated better than owner’s spouses! They seem to stick their noses whereever they can strike a nerve. Which leads me to say, maybe it is just that. PETA has had issues with employees claiming to be such supporters of PETA, only to be found with countless suffering animals..There are too many people trying to get NOTICED..not caring about the true issue at hand. That is what is happening..and WOW if thats true; we are talking about some sick people…trying to get attention!!!

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  5. PETA should focus on illegal activity only. For PETA to spend it’s resources at a dog show is another example of the organizations unreasonable and often times ridiculous activity. They would be better off going to urban areas to support the ASPCA with rescuing dogs that are at risk of death from not being cared for. This is just one example of what PETA could do but instead they just want attention by acting out like morons at an event that celebrates animals.

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