New York City's Most Underrated Sporting Event: Inside The Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden
Everybody knows about the Westminster Dog Show, but when it rolls around, it suddenly feels like it has already passed. Done with a decade of missing out, Emily Powers attends the Westminster Dog Show and reports on what it’s like to experience New York City’s oldest sporting event in person.
For the Dogs: New York City’s Oldest Sporting Event
The Westminster Dog Show takes place in a crowded window of time with Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, The Super Bow— I mean The Big Game— all happening at once. It is arguably the Groundhog’s Day of sporting events, yet the 2026 edition marked the historic 150th anniversary of the show. The first edition of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held in May 1877 at Gilmore’s Garden, a venue that would later be renamed Madison Square Garden. Since the start, it’s always been hosted and organized by the Westminster Kennel Club, a member of the larger American Kennel Club.
What It’s Like Attending the Westminster Dog Show
150th Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Image: Emily Powers.
I was surprised at how Madison Square Garden was absolutely packed on a Tuesday night. The energy was electric. The people shouted, screamed, wooed, and clapped after every. single. dog. The crowd absolutely lost it at Goober, a Sussex Spaniel who was equal parts chunky and fluffy. But unfortunately, he was snubbed in the Sporting Group, where Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, came out on top.
As a humble spectator, I was judging the dogs on how cute, fat, or charismatic they are. Personally, I think this is pretty solid criteria for Best in Show. As I watched each dog, one by one, get trotted around and inspected by judges, I wondered: What are these judges actually even looking for?
The judges don’t judge the dogs against one another, but they judge each individual dog for how perfectly they match the breed standard, which is why you see the judges pull back jowls to inspect teeth, hold up tails, observe their gait, and take note of their temperament. I shouldn’t have been shocked by how long each dog’s evaluation took. On Tuesday evening’s judging rounds, I was there for four hours. I wish I knew in advance so I could mentally prepare! But nonetheless, I was engaged the entire time.
The breeders of these dogs fascinate me just as much as the animals themselves. I love the comedic contrast of dogs with perfectly coiffed haircuts (that probably cost more than my own) paired with handlers in outfits that make them look like they’re on trial in court—loaned, ill-fitting pantsuits paired with “sensible” shoes that could be considered a crime of their own. Honestly? It inspired me to consider a career pivot to style these people. I feel like if you’re showing off an Afghan Hound, you should be dressed in a head-to-toe 1970s Pucci number for full effect. Has nobody considered this? Anyway, back to the pups.
The Seven Groups and the Road to Best in Show
2026 Toy Group winner Cookie the Maltese at the 150th Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Image: Emily Powers.
The show is comprised of seven groups: Hound, Toy, Non-sporting, Sporting, Herding, Working, and Terrier. The corresponding finalists from each group were Zaida the Afghan Hound, Cookie the Maltese, JJ the Lhasa Apso, Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Graham the Old English Sheepdog, Penny the Doberman Pinscher, and Wager the Smooth Fox Terrier.
“I don’t care who wins, I just hope all the dogs have fun.”
When it came time to announce Best in Show, they dimmed the arena and put a spotlight on each dog running out to do their victory lap. Personally, I was stunned by the last (but definitely not least) of the finalists, Cookie the Maltese. I was baffled that a dog of such tiny size and stature could even sustain a heartbeat (or any organs, for that matter) that could power it through a basketball-court-sized loop. Needless to say, I was obsessed with her. I shouted, “THAT THING IS REAL?” I loved Graham the Old English Sheepdog for the same reason, given that he was more hair than dog and could’ve secretly been three preteens in a dog suit, for all I know.
In a shocking twist, Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (an obvious fan favorite by the sheer amount of cheers) was deemed the runner-up. Penny the Doberman Pinscher came out as the top dog, Best in Show! The night was exhilarating.
Is the Westminster Dog Show Worth Seeing in Person?
Markus the West Highland White Terrier at the 150th Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Image: Emily Powers.
Ultimately, yes. Come for the dogs, but stay for the camaraderie that comes from being part of a crowd. It feels good to be part of something bigger than yourself, especially if it’s something you wouldn’t normally go to on a random Tuesday night; in fact, that is probably when it feels the best. Sometimes, it feels good to cheer literally anything on, especially when it’s something cute. I will without a doubt be in attendance next year, and I’ll return with the same mindset I had this year: “I don’t care who wins, I just hope all the dogs have fun.”
How can I attend the Westminster Dog Show?
You missed it this year, but the Westminster Dog Show is actually a series of ticketed events over one week in February. Information and tickets for future events can be found here.
About the Author
Inventor of being bicoastal since conception, Emily Powers hails from both California and New York. These days, Manhattan is her home base where she works as a DJ, writer, and trend forecaster. Her life is equal parts business and pleasure because it’s usually the same thing.
On a Sunday morning in New York City, our girl gets dressed and lingers in front of the mirror far longer than necessary. Celebrating the Spring/Summer 2018 collections, the destination is the MoMA PS1 Book Fair, but the question is how much of herself should be visible in a room where taste, intellect, and desire pretend to be separate things?