1876 (or earlier) - A group of
sporting gentlemen meet regularly in the bar of a Manhattan hotel to
trade stories about their shooting accomplishments and the talents of
their dogs. Eventually they form a club and name it after their favorite
hotel: The Westminster Breeding Association. Early on, the club owns a
kennel and raises Pointers for hunting and field trials.
1876 - The Westminster Breeding Association helps stage a dog
show in Philadelphia in celebration of America's centennial. The show is
such a success that the members decide to hold their own dog show to
allow them to compare their dogs in a setting away from the field. The
members change the name of their organization to the Westminster Kennel
Club.
1877 - The First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs, given under
the auspices of the Westminster Kennel Club, is held in the Hippodrome
at Gilmore's Garden in New York City, drawing an entry of 1,201 dogs.
The club pays rent of $1,500 for three days, adding a fourth day during
the show to accommodate the overwhelming public interest. The proceeds
from that fourth day are donated to the Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.
Dogs are listed in the catalog as "not for sale" or for sale at prices
which range from $50 to $10,000.
1878 - The entry fee is $2, which includes feed and care of the
dog.
1879 - This year's Premium List contains show rules and
regulations, adopted together by Westminster and the Philadelphia Kennel
Club. A Board of Appeals at the show is made up of three members of each
club. There would be no
national governing body until the founding of AKC in 1884.
1884 - The Westminster Kennel Club is elected by the American
Kennel Club as the AKC's first member club. The American Fox Terrier
Club becomes the next member in 1886. The Rhode Island Kennel Club joins in 1897.
1888 - In accordance with new rules adopted by the American
Kennel Club, every dog entered at Westminster must be registered with
the American Kennel Club. And in those cases where a potential entrant
was not registered with the AKC, the Westminster Show Secretary accepted
a registration application and fee (50 cents) and forwarded it to the
AKC.
With her assignment of 117 St. Bernards at Westminster, Anna Whitney
becomes the first woman to judge a dog show in America. She judges every
year for the next seven years, but it would be 1901 before another woman
judges any dog show in the U.S.
1889 - "The Czar of Russia" is listed as the breeder of a
Siberian Wolfhound entered at this year's show.
1890 - W.M. Bangs, M.D., writing in Cosmopolitan magazine: "These
shows have been very popular and they have had great effect in forming
and developing the taste of lovers of the dog; (Westminster Kennel Club)
has had great effect in improving the quality of the dogs owned for use
and companionship. Of this there can be no doubt ..."
One of the entries at this year's show is a Russian Wolfhound with a
listed owner of "The Emperor of Germany."
1892 - The entry fee for Westminster is raised from $3 to $5,
where it will remain until 1947.
1893 - Philanthropist J. P. Morgan makes the first of his many
appearances at Westminster with his Collies.
1894 - Famous American journalist Nellie Bly enters her Maltese
at Westminster, some four years after she made a record-breaking trip
around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes.
1904 - For the first time, handlers wear arm bands with the
catalog number of their dog.
1905 - With 1,752 dogs on hand, Westminster becomes the largest
dog show ever held anywhere in the world, surpassing the last show held
at the Crystal Palace in London.
1907 - The award of Best In Show is given for the first time at
Westminster. A panel of 10 judges makes the decision, for BIS WINNER: Ch Warren
Remedy - Smooth Fox Terrier
1908 - The number of dogs entered reaches 2,000 for the first
time. BIS WINNER: Ch Warren Remedy - Smooth Fox Terrier
1909 - BIS WINNER: Ch Warren Remedy – Smooth Fox Terrier, for the
third consecutive year, a feat never since duplicated at Westminster.
1910 - A class is offered for the first time for Fire Department
Dalmatians, won by Engine Company 8 of 51st Street. BIS WINNER:
Ch Sabine Rarebit - Smooth Fox Terrier
1911 - BIS Winner: Ch Tickle Em Jock - Scottish Terrier
1912 - BIS Winner: Ch Kenmare Sorceress - Airedale Terrier
Judges: Dr Henry Jarrett, Ralph C English, Charles Lyndon
1913 - BIS Winner: Ch Strathtay Prince Albert - Bulldog Judges:
Dr Henry Jarrett, G Muss-Arnolt, Theodore Offerman, Referee
1914 - BIS Winner: Ch Slumber - Old English Sheepdog Judge:
Midgeley Marsden
1915 - BIS Winner: Ch Matford Vic – Wire Fox Terrier Judge: Dr
Henry Jarrett
1916 - One of the entries in the Miscellaneous Class this year is
listed as a "Truffles Hunter." Later, nearly 30 dogs of different breeds
compete in the Best In Show ring. A panel of five judges selects BIS
Winner: Ch Matford Vic – Wire Fox Terrier, for her second consecutive
win Judges: Charles G Hopton, Frank F Dole, Vinton P Breese, Fred Senn,
W H Whittem
1917 - A special hero of World War I, a German Shepherd named
Filax of Lewanno who had brought 54 wounded soldiers to safety, was
exhibited at Westminster. BIS WINNER: Ch Conejo Wycollar Boy - Wire Fox
Terrier Judge: George S Thomas
1918 - The profits of this show were donated to the American Red
Cross in support of the war effort. BIS WINNER: Ch Haymarket Faultless –
White Bull Terrier Judges: Vinton P Breese, Charles G Hopton, George S
Thomas, Referee
1919 - Once again, profits were donated to the American Red
Cross. While the war was over, Westminster offered special "Service
Classes" for those who were serving or had served in the Armed Forces.
BIS WINNER: Ch Briergate Bright Beauty - Airedale Terrier Judges: Harry
T Peters, Theodore Offerman, J Willoughby Mitchell
1920 - BIS Winner: Ch Conejo Wycollar Boy - Wire Fox Terrier –
Judges: Thomas S Bellin, William E Warner, Norman K Swire
1921 - BIS Winner: Ch Midkiff Seductive – Parti-Color Cocker
Spaniel Judges: Norman K Swire, Charles G Hopton, Dr J D De Mund,
Referee
1922 - BIS Winner: Ch Boxwood Barkentine - Airedale Terrier
Judges: G Muss-Arnolt, Vinton P Breese, Theodore Offerman
1923 - No BEST IN SHOW is awarded because the AKC
barred interbreed competition for 1923 except in the Miscellaneous
Class. Comprehensive new rules for Group & Best in Show judging were
adopted effective for 1924.
1924 - Under the new rules for
Groups and Best In Show judging, Sporting, Working,
Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting groups winners compete, BIS WINNER: Ch Barberryhill Bootlegger - Sealyham Terrier Judges:
Norman K Swire, Walter H Reeves
1925 - BIS WINNER: Ch Governor Moscow - Pointer Judges: Walter S
Glynn, Theodore Offerman, Robert A Ross, Ralph C English
1926 -
Westminster moves its show to
Madison Square Garden 8th Avenue. where it will remain
until the facility closes in 1968. BIS WINNER: Ch Signal Circuit of
Halleston – Wire Fox Terrier Judges: J Robinson Beard, C Frederick
Neilson, W L McCandlish, Walter H Reeves, Tyler Morse
1927 – BIS WINNER: Ch Pinegrade Perfection - Sealyham Terrier
Judges: C Fred Neilson, Enno Meyer, John G Bates, G V Glebe, Dr Carleton
Y Ford
1928 - Mrs. Reginald F. Mayhew of Forest Hills, NY, becomes the
first woman to have a voice in deciding Best In Show, as one of a panel
of five judges making the decision for BIS WINNER: Ch Talavera Margaret -
Wire Fox Terrier.
1929 - BIS Winner: Ch Laund Loyalty of Bellhaven – Rough Collie
Judge: Dr Carleton Y Ford
1930 - BIS Winner: Ch Pendley Calling of Blarney - Wire Fox
Terrier Judge: W L McCandlish
1931 - BIS Winner: Ch Pendley Calling of Blarney - Wire Fox
Terrier Judge: Tyler Morse
1932 - BIS Winner: Ch Nancolleth Markable - Pointer Judge: Hon
Townsend Scudder
1933 - Mrs. M. Hartley Dodge judges Best In Show, becoming the
first woman to officiate as the sole judge of this award. Geraldine
Rockefeller Dodge is soon legendary in the dog show world, as the force
behind the Morris & Essex Kennel Club and the benefactor of St. Hubert
Giralda Animal Shelter. BIS WINNER: Ch Warland Protector
of Shelterock - Airedale Terrier Judge: Mrs Hartley Dodge.
A German Shepherd belonging to New York Yankee great, Lou Gehrig, is
among the entries.
1934 - The Children's Handling Grand Challenge Trophy is offered
for the first time at Westminster. Later to be known as Junior Handling. BIS
WINNER: Ch Flornell Spicy Bit of Halleston - Wire Fox Terrier Judge: Dr
Henry Jarrett
1935 – Handler Mrs. Sherman Hoyt goes BIS, the first such win
ever for a woman handler, a feat that would not be repeated until 1956.
BIS WINNER: Ch Nunsoe Duc de la Terrace of Blakeen – Standard Poodle
Judge: Alfred B Maclay
1936 – BIS WINNER: Ch St Margaret Mignificent of Claredale -
Sealyham Terrier Judge: C Frederick Neilson
1937 - 3,140 dogs entered, BIS WINNER: Ch
Flornell Spicy Piece of Halleston - Wire Fox Terrier Judge: George S
West
1938 - Best In Show Judge pictured on the cover of Time
Magazine before Westminster, with the caption, "His choice becomes the
people's choice." BIS WINNER: Daro of Maridor – English Setter Judge:
John G Bates
1939 - BIS Winner: Ferry v Rauhfelsen of Giralda - Doberman
Pinscher Judge: George S Thomas
1940 - BIS Winner: Ch My Own Brucie – Black Cocker Spaniel Judge:
Dr Samuel Milbank
1941 - The show changes to two-days, BIS Winner: Ch My Own Brucie – Black Cocker Spaniel Judge: Joseph
Patterson Sims
1942 – In 1941 and 1942 - proceeds from these shows are donated
to the American Red Cross. In 1943 and 1944, proceeds go to Dogs for Defense. In 1945, the National War Fund is the recipient of
the proceeds. - BIS Winner: Ch Wolvey Pattern of Edgerstoune - West
Highland White Terrier Judge: Herman E Mellenthin
1943 - BIS Winner: Ch Pitter Patter of Piperscroft – Miniature
Poodle Judge: Gerald M Livingston
1944 - BIS Winner: Ch Flornell-Rare-Bit of Twin Ponds - Welsh
Terrier Judge: Theodore Crane
1945 - BIS Winner: Ch Shieling's Signature - Scottish Terrier
Judge: George S West
1946 - A tugboat strike causes New York Mayor William O'Dwyer to
close the city down on the eve of the dog show. Business was allowed to
resume 24 hours later, by that time forcing Westminster to make
arrangements to hold its show in one day instead of two. Using 17 rings
and a makeshift schedule that kept all rings in constant use, Best In
Show was awarded by 12:15 a.m. that night, 15 minutes earlier than the
year before. BIS WINNER: Ch Heatherington Model Rhythm - Wire Fox
Terrier Judge: William Prescott Wolcott
1947 – BIS WINNER: Ch Warlord of Mazelaine - Boxer Judge: David
Wagstaff
1948 - Television coverage of Westminster takes place for the
first time. BIS WINNER: Ch Rock Ridge Night Rocket - Bedlington Terrier
Judge: Dr Samuel Milbank
1949 – BIS WINNER: Ch Mazelaine Zazarac Brandy – Boxer Judge:
Thomas H Carruthers, III
1950 – BIS WINNER: Ch Walsing Winning Trick of Edgerstoune -
Scottish Terrier Judge: George H Hartman
1951 - First dog from West of the Mississippi to win Best In Show
at Westminster. BIS WINNER: Ch Bang Away of Sirrah Crest – Boxer Judge:
W Ross Proctor
1952 – BIS WINNER: Ch Rancho Dobe's Storm - Doberman Pinscher
Judge: Joseph Patterson Sims
1953 – BIS WINNER: Ch Rancho Dobe's Storm - Doberman Pinscher
Judge: James A Farrell Jr
1954 – BIS WINNER: Ch Carmor's Rise and Shine - A.S.C.O.B. Cocker
Spaniel Judge: Virgil D Johnson
1955 – BIS WINNER: Ch Kippax Fearnought – Bulldog Judge: Albert E
Van Court
1956 - Anne Hone Rogers (later Mrs. James Edward Clark) becomes
the first woman professional handler and the second female to handle a
dog to the Best In Show award. BIS WINNER: Ch Wilber White Swan – Toy
Poodle Judge: Paul Palmer
1957 – BIS WINNER: Ch Shirkhan of Grandeur - Afghan Hound Judge:
Mrs Beatrice H Godsol
1958 – BIS WINNER: Ch Puttencove Promise – Standard Poodle Judge:
William W Brainard
1959 – BIS WINNER: Ch Fontclair Festoon – Miniature Poodle Judge:
Thomas H Carruthers, III
1960 – BIS WINNER: Ch Chik T'Sun of Caversham – Pekingese Judge:
George H Hartman
1961 – BIS WINNER: Ch Cappoquin Little Sister – Toy Poodle Judge:
Dr Joseph E Redden
1962 – BIS WINNER: Ch Elfinbrook Simon - West Highland White
Terrier Judge: Haywood R Hartley
1963 – BIS WINNER: Ch Wakefield's Black Knight - English Springer
Spaniel Judge: Virgil D Johnson
1964 – BIS WINNER: Ch Courtenay Fleetfoot of Pennyworth – Whippet
Judge: Len Carey
1965 – BIS WINNER: Ch Carmichaels Fanfare - Scottish Terrier
Judge: Robert A Kerns
1966 – BIS WINNER: Ch Zeloy Mooremaide's Magic – Wire Fox Terrier
Judge: James A Farrell Jr
1967 – BIS WINNER: Ch Bardene Bingo - Scottish Terrier Judge:
Percy Roberts
1968 - The first dog to win Best In Show at Westminster after
winning the same award at Crufts, (Westminster's London counterpart) BIS
WINNER: Ch Stingray of Derryabah - Lakeland Terrier Judge: Major B
Godsol.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the final event of any kind held
at Madison Square Garden III. In 1969, the show moves to Madison Square
Garden IV, its present location.
1969 - A bitter snowstorm cripples the New York area and plays
havoc with Westminster's first show at the new Garden. BIS WINNER: Ch
Glamoor Good News - Skye Terrier Judge: Louis J Murr
1970 – BIS WINNER: Ch Arriba's Prima Donna – Boxer Judge: Miss
Anna K Nicholas
1971 – BIS WINNER: Ch Chinoe's Adamant James - English Springer
Spaniel Judge: Oliver Carley Harriman
1972 - A English Springer Spaniel captures his second consecutive
Best In Show at Westminster, becoming the seventh dog with multiple BIS
wins (six dogs with two, one dog with three). As of 2003, no dog has
done it since. BIS WINNER: Ch Chinoe's Adamant James - English Springer
Spaniel Judge: William W Brainard Jr
1973 – BIS WINNER: Ch Acadia Command Performance – Standard
Poodle Judge: Mrs Augustus Riggs
1974 – BIS WINNER: Ch Gretchenhof Columbia River - German
Shorthaired Pointer Judge: Len Carey
1975 - The first Canadian dog wins BIS honors since 1918. BIS
WINNER: Ch. Sir Lancelot of Barvan - Old English Sheepdog Judge: Harry T
Peters Jr
1976 - First person to judge Best In Show three times, a mark
that is still unmatched. Ch Jo Ni's Red Baron of Crofton - Lakeland
Terrier Judge: William W Brainard Jr
1977 – BIS WINNER: Ch Dersade Bobby's Girl - Sealyham Terrier
Judge: Haworth F Hoch
1978 – BIS WINNER: Ch Cede Higgins - Yorkshire Terrier Judge: Mrs
James Edward Clark
1979 – BIS WINNER: Ch Oak Tree's Irishtocrat - Irish Water
Spaniel Judge: Henry H Stoecker
1980 – BIS WINNER: Ch Innisfree's Sierra Cinnar - Siberian Husky
Judge: E Irving Eldredge
1981 – BIS WINNER: Ch Dhandys Favorite Woodchuck - Pug Judge:
Langdon L Skarda
1982 - The Westminster Kennel Foundation and Judge Frank Sabella
become the first to donate gifts of art to the AKC Museum of the Dog.
BIS WINNER: Ch St Aubrey Dragonora of Elsdon – Pekingese Judge: Mrs
Robert V Lindsay
1983 - Only the third Hound to win Best In Show and through 2003
is still the last Hound to do so. BIS WINNER: Ch Kabiks The Challenger -
Afghan Hound Judge: Derek G Rayne
1984 – BIS WINNER: Ch Seaward's Blackbeard – Newfoundland Judge:
Mrs Maynard K Drury
1985 – BIS WINNER: Ch Braeburn's Close Encounter - Scottish
Terrier Judge: Elsworth S Howell
1986 – BIS WINNER: Ch Marjetta's National Acclaim - Pointer
Judge: Mrs George John Wanner
1987 - The Westminster Kennel Foundation establishes an annual
scholarship program for veterinary students. BIS WINNER: Ch Covy Tucker
Hill's Manhattan - German Shepherd Dog Judge: Louis Auslander
1988 – BIS WINNER: Ch Great Elms Prince Charming, II – Pomeranian
Judge: Mrs Michele Billings
1989 - The first female dog with an obedience title to capture
Best In Show (and through 2004 remains as the only dog to do so). BIS
WINNER: Ch Royal Tudor's Wild As The Wind - Doberman Pinscher Judge: Mrs
Bernard Freeman
1990 – BIS WINNER: Ch Wendessa Crown Prince – Pekingese - Frank T
Sabella
1991 – BIS WINNER: Ch Whisperwind On A Carousel – Standard Poodle
Judge: Mrs Dorothy Welsh
1992 - Westminster becomes the first Champions Only dog show held
under AKC rules. Awards of Merit are added to the awards, the exact
number given to be a function of the number of entries in each breed or
variety. BIS WINNER: Ch Registry's Lonesome Dove – Wire Fox Terrier
Judge: Melbourne T L Downing
1993 - After capturing Best In Show the previous year, Ch.
Registry's Lonesome Dove, a Wire Fox Terrier, fails in an attempt to
repeat the win when it is awarded third place in the Terrier Group. This
is the last time that a BIS winner has tried to repeat. BIS WINNER: Ch
Salilyn's Condor - English Springer Spaniel Judge: Mrs Barbara F Heller
1994 – BIS WINNER: Ch Chidley Willum The Conqueror - Norwich
Terrier Judge: Walter F Goodman
1995 – BIS WINNER: Ch Gaelforce Post Script - Scottish Terrier
Judge: Dr Jacklyn E Hungerland
1996 – BIS WINNER: Ch Clussexx Country Sunrise – Clumber Spaniel
Judge: D Roy Holloway
1997 – The first Italian bred dog wins Best In Show. BIS WINNER:
Ch Parsifal Di Casa Netzer - Standard Schnauzer Judge: Mrs Dorothy N
Collier
1998 – BIS WINNER: Ch Fairewood Frolic - Norwich Terrier Judge:
Dr N Josephine Deubler
1999 – Spunky “Kirby” is the oldest dog ever to win Best In Show.
At eight years, one month and ten days, he becomes the first dog in the
world to win both the World Dog Show (he won Best In Show at Helsinki
over 17,000-plus dogs in 1998). : Ch Loteki Supernatural Being -
Papillon Judge: Mr Edd Embry Bivin
2000 – BIS WINNER: Ch Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless - English
Springer Spaniel Judge: Mr Chester F Collier
2001 – BIS WINNER: Ch Special Times Just Right - Bichon Frise
Judge: Miss Dorothy M MacDonald
2002 – BIS WINNER: Ch Surrey Spice Girl – Miniature Poodle Judge:
Mr W Everett Dean Jr
2003 - A Kerry Blue terrier captures Best In Show, becoming the
second dog only, to win both Westminster and Crufts. BIS WINNER: Ch
Torums Scarf Michael – Kerry Blue Terrier Judge: Mrs Irene Bivin
2004 – BIS WINNER: Ch. Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove –
Newfoundland Judge: Mr. Burton J. Yamada
2005 - For the first time, breed judging is broadcast to the
general public via streaming video on the Westminster web site (www.westminsterkennelclub.org).
Over 1.4 million streaming videos are requested online, from 140
countries. BIS WINNER: Ch Kan-Point's
VJK Autumn Roses - German Shorthaired Pointer Judge: Mrs. Lynette
Saltzman.
For the first time, Madison Square Garden is completely sold out for
both days of the dog shows.
2006 - Once again, the Garden is completely sold out for both
days of the show, in spite of The Blizzard of 2006. BIS WINNER: Ch Rocky Top's Sundance Kid -
Colored Bull Terrier Judge: James G. Reynolds
2007 - Chet Collier, longtime member and past show chair and
president, is the first recipient of the club's Sensation Award. Named
for the club's symbolic Pointer, the award is given in recognition of a
member's contribution to the club, to purebred dogs, and the sport of
showing dogs. Collier died later that year. BIS WINNER: Ch Felicity's
Diamond Jim - English Springer Spaniel Judge: Dr. Robert A. Indeglia
2008 - The first Beagle ever and the first Hound in 25 years to
win Best in Show at Westminster. His victory sets off a year-long
celebration by the media. BIS WINNER: Ch K-Run's
Park Me In First – Beagle (15 inch) Judge: Dr. J. Donald Jones.
"Uno" becomes the first Westminster winner to be invited to the White
House, visiting President and Mrs. Bush in May.
2009 – BIS WINNER: Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee – Sussex
Spaniel Judge: Sari Brewster Tietjen
2010 – What exciting is in store for us this year?? What records
will Westminster break?
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