2022 WKC Official Program | Page 73

With its spectacular beginnings and extraordinary growth in the years to follow , the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was quickly reflecting the growth and success of New York City . As the dog show grew every year , so did the Westminster Kennel Club ’ s position as the symbol of the purebred dog , with its influence being felt in show rings everywhere , and eventually in millions of television homes across the country . Westminster has become America ’ s Dog Show .

To fully grasp the place in history of the Westminster Kennel Club and its famed annual dog show at Madison Square Garden , consider this : Westminster pre-dates the invention of the light bulb , the automobile , and the zipper ; the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Washington Monument ; and manned air flight and the establishment of the World Series . The dog show has outlasted three previous versions of Madison Square Garden , and is currently being staged in MSG IV . It is one of only four events to be held in all four “ Gardens .”

Westminster even pre-dates the establishment of the governing body of the sport , the American Kennel Club , by seven years . In fact , in 1877 , members of Westminster and members of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia had together adopted a set of show rules and regulations and established a Board of Appeals to oversee these rules . This was the precursor of the American Kennel Club , which was finally created in 1884 . As one might imagine , the history of the club and its show is rich and colorful .

The most-coveted award in the dog show world , Best In Show at Westminster , was given for the first time in 1907 . That year , and for the next two years as well , it went to a Smooth Fox Terrier named Ch . Warren Remedy . She remains the only dog ever to win this prestigious achievement three times .

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