• 8 of the funniest, furriest dogs from Westminster

    All kinds of fur was on display in New York at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. Here are some of the furriest, four-legged competitors showing off their fluffy features. 

    Mike Segar / Reuters

    Swagger, an Old English Sheepdog, poses for photographers after winning the Herding Group during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    Handler Stacy Dohmeier carries Tucker, an A.S.C.O.B Cocker Spaniel, Feb. 12, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

    John Moore / Getty Images

    A terrier prepares to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.12.

    Mike Segar / Reuters

    A Pomeranian is carried by its handler to be judged during competition in the Toy Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11.

    Mike Segar / Reuters

    A Standard Poodle is judged during competition in the Non-Sporting Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.11.

    Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

    Paisley, a Wheaten Terrier, sits on a grooming table at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 12.

    Mike Segar / Reuters

    A Bearded Collie runs during competition in the Herding Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.11.

    Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

    Barry, a Komondorok, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 12.

    Related:

    As officials at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kept a keen eye out for any cosmetically enhanced dogs, Banana Joe became the first affenpinscher to win Best in Show. NBC's Katy Tur reports and Banana Joe's handler, Ernesto Lara, introduces him to the TODAY anchors.

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  • Westminster Best in Show winner becomes a mother

    Hyungwon Kang / Reuters

    Hickory, who made history as the first-ever Scottish Deerhound to win "Best in Show" at the Westminster Dog Show, walks with her seven-week old puppies in Flint Hill, Virginia, December 1, 2011. Five-year-old Hickory, whose full name is Grand Champion Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, had her first litter of nine puppies in October. The puppies were sired by Huntly (American and Canadian Champion Fernhill Huntly D'LUX) of Ontario, Canada.

    Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

    Handler Angela Lloyd and Hickory the Scottish Deerhound just before winning Best in Show during the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Feb. 15, 2011.

    By Rich Shulman

    While we are waiting for news of a royal baby in London, we can enjoy the news from Virginia that the surprise Best in Show winner at Westminster this year has produced her first litter of pups.

    As AP reported in February:

    A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase deer and rabbits on a 50-acre farm in Virginia did more than fine at Madison Square Garden this week, winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night and the title of America's top dog.

    The 5-year-old Hickory became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

    By dog world standards, it was an upset. OK, maybe not quite as big as the Hickory Huskers winning the Indiana high school state basketball championship in the film "Hoosiers," but quite a surprise nonetheless.

     

    In an upset, a Scottish deerhound named Hickory won the coveted title of Best in Show at the 135 annual Westminster Dog Show in New York City. The champion pooch visits Studio 1A.

    Hyungwon Kang / Reuters

    Hickory, who made history as the first-ever Scottish Deerhound to win "Best in Show" at the Westminster Dog Show, is pictured in Flint Hill, Virginia, Dec. 1, 2011.

    Hyungwon Kang / Reuters

    Professional dog handler Angela Lloyd reacts as she gets her thumb caught by a seven-week old Scottish Deerhound puppy from the first litter of Hickory, the "Best in Show" winner at the Westminster Dog Show, in Flint Hill, Virginia, Dec.1, 2011.

    Hyungwon Kang / Reuters

    Hickory, who made history as the first-ever Scottish Deerhound to win "Best in Show" at the Westminster Dog Show, chases her seven-week old puppies in Flint Hill, Virginia, Dec. 1, 2011.

     

     

    Previous PhotoBlog images and videos on the Westminster dog show.

  • Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

    Standard Poodle show dogs Mikimoto, left, and Gem sit during a press conference for the 135th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Feb. 10, 2011.The Westminster will run Feb. 14-15th and will extend its reign as the United States second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

    Poodles pose at the Westminster Dog Show press conference

    By Robert Hood

    We’re sending a multimedia reporter to the show this year to take a look at what happens behind the scenes. Check back for updates once the show begins.

    Click here to see more dogs and other animals in Animal Tracks.