The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in Madison Square Garden, February 9 & 10, promises to be the grand event that it always is. Not only will spectators, exhibitors, judges, and dog lovers, along with some 2500 of the world’s classiest dogs descend on New York City, the entire Westminster Week is filled with canine events.
Dog Shows
Dog shows in and around New York City during Westminster Week will entertain dog fanciers from around the world. The New Yorker Hotel, the New York Hotel Pennsylvania, and the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Seacaucus NJ, will host shows including the Big Apple Sporting Society Group Show, Collie Club of New England, English Springer Spaniel Club of Long Island, the Boston Terrier Club of New York, and dozens more.
Benefits, Workshops, and Awards
Other events include the Dog Judges Association of America Symposium held at Club Bar & Grill, Madison Square Garden, open to judges, breeders, and exhibitors.
The 24th Annual Theatre Benefit for The AKC Museum of the Dog will be supported with music by Elton John in “Billy Elliot” Broadway’s hit.
Pet writers can meet editors and agents and spend an entire day at the Radisson Martinique Hotel on Broadway learning how to effectively present their writing.
By invitation only, there is also the Pedigree Awards Dinner and Purina Pro Plan’s 54th Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards.
Dog lovers can show their support of therapy dogs by purchasing a $100 ticket to Best in Show, Angel on a Leash Benefit. Attendees will enjoy a light supper and open bar, and meet former Westminster Best in Show winners.
Dance, Art Show, and Dinners
American Canine Education Foundation will hold a reception and dance at the Hotel Pennsylvania and Dog Writers Association of America hosts their Annual Awards Dinner.
For art lovers, the William Secord Gallery in New York will exhibit and sell more than 30 paintings. The gallery is known for its 19th century dog paintings and will feature works by George Earl, John Emms, Arthur Wardle, and others.
On Monday the 9th, following Group Judging a celebration will be held in the Club Bar & Grill at Madison Square Garden, featuring a light supper with champagne and wine.
The Metropolitan Dog Club Best in Show Brunch wraps up festivities in Grand Central Station the morning following Westminster’s Kennel Club Best in Show judging. Attendees enjoy a gourmet lunch, meet the judges and find out how the Best in Show judge chose America’s top dog.
What better place for a dog lover to be than in New York City February 5-11, 2009!
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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