E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSDog owners and handlers are busy making furry pieces of art out of their pooches, at the Westminster Dog show taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Some owners claim that even a single stray hair can upset the look. They are prepping for the ring where dogs are judged from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Tummy, a Bichons Frises, get a final trim at the Westminster Dog Show on Monday, Feb. 14.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Rod Connors, left, and Delana Severs put the finishing touches on Micah, a Standard Poodle from Niantic, Conn.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
The back of a Bearded Collie becomes art during grooming.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
A Poodle's back takes shape.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
Two-year-old Brigo-Doon, a Long Coat Chihuahua, weighed only 0.9oz at birth. His owner, Ken Stowell, fed her with a small plastic tube for the first two weeks.
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
"Isn't he gorgeouse?" Dwight Eubanks of Atlanta, Georgia, asks about Coal, his Chinese Crested. "When he shows, he looks just like a pony."
Jim Seida / msnbc.com
A handler shows a Borzois in the ring at the Westminster Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 14.
Leave a Comment:
This is no more than a 6 legged freak show.
What would you know about it? This is a billion dollar industry, still succeeding where many have not. And it's a great family sport.
Bichons are THE BEST! Loving, kid friendly and sweet. Not to mention 1st place in our hearts and the ring!
This show is lots of fun to watch. I hope the dachshunds make a good showing this year. Dogs are good people, that is for sure!
I had a brief experience with showing dogs. What I found was that they are nothing but beauty contests. Maybe the bigger, more reputable shows are different, but what makes me mad is no proof of health such as hip displasia or other abnormalities is required to make it to the top. If the dog has a beautiful coat and muscular features, he wins. Finally, the dog becomes a champion and gets huge breeding fees. If that dog has a bad abnormality, it is passed on to the puppies. You perpetuate beauty over functionality. A good looking retriever or shepherd is worthless if he is cripple by the time he turns 5.
Fortunately, Westminster is different. And thank you for your open-mindedness in saying, "...maybe the ... more reputable shows are different." That kind of objectivity seems to be lacking all over these threads about this show from people who are ill-informed. Thanks, JobSeeker (and good luck!!!). If some of our commenters would take the time to WATCH or to GET EDUCATED before they pop off, they can see on TV last night and tonight that these judges have their hands all OVER these dogs. And these judges know what they're doing.
These dogs can't even THINK about breeding without health, conformation, etc. certifications out the wazoo. I suppose that means that, when their wazoos are certified, they can go to town. Hm...