David Frei will be co-hosting his 27th and final Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as the 2016 installment gets underway today. Mary Carillo also co-hosts, with Kelli Stavast serving as floor reporter.
The 2016 Westminster Dog Show will feature seven breeds newly recognized by the American Kennel Club in the past year. Making their competitive debuts at Westminster are the Bergamasco, the Berger Picard, the Miniature American Shepherd and Spanish Water Dog, all competing in the Herding Group; the Boerboel, competing in the Working Group; the Cirneco dell’Etna, competing in the Hound Group; and the Lagotto Romagnolo, competing in the Sporting Group.
A total of 2,706 dogs and 91 Junior Showmanship competitors were entered this year. Representing 50 states and 12 foreign countries, the most dogs were entered from New York (270) for the sixth year in a row, followed by California (219), Pennsylvania (203) and New Jersey (190). Labrador Retrievers were the highest entry breed with 51. Other top entries include Golden Retrievers with 50 and French Bulldogs with 48.
The evening competition on Monday, Feb. 15, will be televised live on CNBC, and includes the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups. Tuesday’s group judging consists of the Sporting, Working and Terrier groups, followed by the crowning of the 2016 Best in Show, and will be televised live on USA Network.
The 2016 Westminster Dog Show airs live Feb. 15 at 8pm ET on CNBC, and live Feb. 16 at 8pm ET on USA Network.
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Photos courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club