The Westminster Kennel Club 2026 | Page 8

WKC HISTORY

1877

The inaugural Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is held at Gilmore’ s Garden( later renamed Madison Square Garden) in New York City, making it one of the oldest continuously held sporting events in the U. S.

1888

Anna Whitney becomes the first woman to judge at a dog show in America, breaking barriers in the sport.

1891

The show is officially staged under the name Madison Square Garden for the first time.

1907

The Best in Show award is introduced. The first winner was a female Smooth Fox Terrier named Ch. Warren Remedy, who remains the only dog to ever win the title three consecutive times( 1907 – 1909).

1918

Show proceeds are sent to the American Red Cross in support of the war effort, a donation repeated the following year.
8 THE WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB 2026