2015 Westminster Dog Show: TV Coverage, Live Stream Schedule and Expectations
Two days after Tex the border collie won the Westminster Kennel Club agility contest, the 139th Westminster Dog Show, the premier dog show in the United States, is set to commence. It's an excuse for dog lovers everywhere to learn more about a number of breeds and brush up on their Best in Show references.
There will be graceful gaits, shiny fur, elaborate hair styles and, of course, absolutely adorable, well-behaved dogs prancing about the show floor. Below, you'll find all the viewing information you need so you don't miss a minute of the lead-up to the coveted Best in Show award.
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Schedule
| Monday, Feb. 16 | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Group (Breed Judging, Junior Showmanship Preliminaries and Benching) | WestMinsterKennelClub.org and the 2015 Westminster Show App |
| Monday, Feb. 16 | 6-11 p.m. | Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Group (Junior Showmanship Finals, Group Judging and Best in Show) | CNBC (8-11 p.m.) |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Sporting, Working and Terrier Group (Breed Judging, Junior Showmanship Preliminaries and Benching) | WestMinsterKennelClub.org and the 2015 Westminster Show App |
| Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 6-11 p.m. | Sporting, Working and Terrier Group (Junior Showmanship Finals, Group Judging and Best in Show) | USA (8-11 p.m.) |
Preview
One of the highlights of this year's show will be the introduction of two new breeds to the competition, the coton de tulear (or "the fluffy") and the wire-haired vizsla. The Wall Street Journal has more on the breeds:
"The Wirehaired Vizsla, developed by hunters and falconers in Hungary, is a lean and athletic hunting dog with a weather-resistant and dense wire coat. It is known by breeders for being affectionate and intuitive.
The Coton de Tulear, with its cotton-like white coat and rectangular shape, comes from Madagascar and is described by breeders as intelligent, quirky and clown-like. Cotons became a favorite of the Madagascar’s aristocracy, who called them the “Royal Dog of Madagascar.”
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The more the merrier, right?
Of course, all the dogs in this year's competition—or perhaps more accurately, their owners and trainers—will be trying to duplicate the performance of Sky, the five-year-old wire fox terrier that won last year's Best in Show award.
Keep an eye on any wire fox terriers in this year's show, as the breed has won the competition 14 times, six more times than any other breed, per The Associated Press, via FoxNews.com.
The favorite heading into this year's competition is probably Matisse, a Portuguese water dog that is currently ranked No. 1 among all breeds, per Barbara Miller of PennLive.com. However, the Wynn Race and Sports Book lists the doberman pinscher as the breed most likely to win at this year's event, followed by the pointer and the wire fox terrier.
Trying to predict which dog will come out as Best in Show in a subjective competition is nearly impossible, of course, and, generally speaking, watching these graceful dogs in action is far more entertaining than worrying about awards and ribbons.
After all, everyone has a preferred breed or a new favorite once the show begins. The judging at these events is incredibly technical, and the most beautiful dog could suddenly decide to feel a bit stubborn at the wrong moment.
Such is the nature of a dog show. There can only be one Best in Show. May the best dog win.
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