As a dog breeder, aside from the love of the breed, there is the prestige of being recognized for producing dogs closest to the breed standard. Nothing says prestige quite like the Westminster Dog Show. As it says on the brochure “There’s only one.”
Tomorrow kicks off the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Be sure to watch it on USA network. For us it means packing up the van around 4AM and heading for New York. Breeders from around the country are making this annual pilgrimage as we speak. If you happen to be in New York City and see people carrying around a bunch of gold a purple paperwork, they are there for the dog show.
It’s not all on TV
What you see on TV is really just the tip of the iceberg for this show. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes and it’s also what’s known as a “benched show”. At most dog shows, dogs and their owners come and go. At benched shows, dogs are required to be on the premises and in their crate unless they are being groomed, taken to the x pens, or being shown. During this time, guests and the media circulate and take it all in. If you are camera shy, this is probably not the place to be. Last year we ended up on NBC Nightly News and the Rachel Ray Show. This year we already have a local news source following my daughter on the road to Westminster.
Unlike most other dog shows, Westminster requires an invitation. Depending on the breed and the rules for that year the process of getting to the show can be different from year to year. Usually you have to qualify with a certain number of points, and depending on the number of dogs that qualify, there may also be a lottery since there are a limited number of slots available. And with any luck, you will bring home a small box with a medal inside that recognizes you as having one of the best dogs in the world for that breed.
Patience Grasshopper
As a new breeder, you probably aren’t likely to find yourself on the invite list to Westminster for a few years. That is of course unless you are using a professional handler and are actively campaigning your dog. This can be an expensive road to the garden, but it depends on what your objectives are and how deep your pockets are. Some breeders will spend six figures to get to the garden. We prefer the longer less costly road to getting there. Remember, there is no cash prize, just prestige. Yes, you will probably be able to charge more for your puppies, but you would probably have to sell a few hundred puppies to make up the difference. Just remember, getting there is half the fun.