The History of Dog Shows

Structure

• Until the mid-1800s, dogs were mostly bred only for work as trackers, hunters or herders. Over time, they also began to be enjoyed for their appearance and unique characteristics. In 1859 at New Castle-on-Tyne, England, owners of pointers and setters and their dogs were invited to the first official dog show in the world. The winners of the event, which had 60 participants, received special trophies: guns from the factory of W.R. Pape, the first dog show chairman. This first exhibition offered dog owners the chance to display their prized pets and gain a sense of personal pride.

Competition

• The idea of a dog show quickly became very popular, and two show organizations were established: The National Dog Club and the National Dog Society. At the second year's competition in Birmingham, England, 267 dogs competed in two newly formed divisions. The first division was for sporting dogs and the second included sheep herding, non-sporting, toy and terrier dogs. Soon the dog show spread to other English towns and cities, including London in 1863. Within three decades, more than 200 different shows were being held throughout England.

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First U.S. Show

• The dog shows were established in the United States several years after England, because of the Civil War. When the war finally came to an end, a group of sportsmen started the Westminster Kennel Club to promote their pointer and setter hunting dogs. In 1877, they held the First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs, which is now the oldest sporting competition in the U.S. except for the Kentucky Derby. At the show, 35 different breeds and 1,200 dogs vied for first prize.

Worldwide Shows

• The American Kennel Club was established in 1884 with the goal of defining and maintaining records on purebred American dogs. This organization, following the formation of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association, is the second oldest amateur sporting organization in America. Four years later, the Canadian Kennel Club was also created, and in 1911, the Federation Cynologique Internationale was formed in Belgium with 75 countries worldwide. Every year, the "World Show" is sponsored by a different country.

Yearly Prestigious Show

• The Westminster Dog Show has now been held at the Madison Square Garden in New York City nearly every year since 1883. It has become one of the most prestigious and coveted competitions in the world. There are now seven groups of dogs, which include the five original categories originally listed in England in addition to working and hound dogs. Only the best dogs can compete in this show. They must have a high number of points from winning previous shows.

Major World Event

• What started out as a small bench show in the 1800s now welcomes about 35,000 attendees and close to 5 million television viewers. The dog that wins "Best in Show" receives a silver trophy from the Westminster Kennel Club. The wire terrier breed has won the most awards over the show's history. The smooth fox terrier bitch (female dog) named Ch. Warren Remedy is the only entrant to win three times since the show began. Six other dogs received Best in Show two times, including the English springer spaniel, Ch. Chinoe's Adamant James, in 1971 and 1972. The 2009 trophy was given to Ch. Clussexx Three D. Grinchy Glee, better known as "Stump," a Sussex spaniel.