The main event of the 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show gets ready to struts its stuff Tuesday night at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
Judges will select representatives from the Sporting, Working and Terrier groups beginning at 7:30 p.m. Those winners will then compete for Best in Show, joining the top canines selected Monday from the Toy, Herding, Hound and Non-Sporting groups.
Rummie, a 3-year-old Pekingnese from Pennsylvania will represent the Toy group, while Ribbon, a 3-year-old Australian shepherd from Ohio got the nod to represent Herding dogs during Monday’s selection process.
A 6-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV) named Buddy Holly is this year’s Hound group standout, and Winston, a French bulldog who won second place in last year’s show, will carry the torch for Non-Sporting dogs.
Whoever earns Best in Show will be taking the title from a bloodhound named Trumpet, who became the first of his breed to win Best in Show last year.
“Everything in one” is how Rummie’s owner David Fitzpatrick described his little Pekingnese, while Ribbon’s handler Jessica Plourde called her herder “the fun girl at the party,” according to the Associated Press.
Buddy Holly’s walker, Janice Hayes, says the rocking dog is “a ‘PBGV’ through-and-through,” while Winston’s handler Perry Payson indicates his Frenchy has a distinct advantage. “[He] just steals your heart,” Payson said.
Tuesday night’s selection process could produce an instant favorite. Terriers represent 47 of the 113 Westminster winners since 1907, according to Sporting News.
For decades the competition was held at Madison Square Garden. Tuesday marks the first time it’ll take place roughly 45 minutes east by subway in Queens. The show took place in suburban Westchester in 2021 and 2022 due to pandemic protocols.