El Westminster Dog Show New York City once again becomes the world epicenter of dog shows, with a particularly symbolic edition celebrating the event's 150th anniversary. Thousands of dogs from around the globe, expert judges, and an international audience numbering in the millions converge on an event that, for many European enthusiasts, is something akin to the "Olympics of dogs."
Beyond the glamour of Best in ShowThe 2026 edition is packed with activities, venue changes within the city, parallel exhibitions, and a television and streaming offering that makes it easy to follow every detail from Spain and the rest of Europe. From giant inflatables in the heart of Midtown to agility competitions, Westminster Week has transformed into a true canine festival.
Key dates and venues for the Westminster Dog Show
The big dog show kicks off on Saturday January 31 with the first agility competitions and continues with the main days of the 2 and 3 FebruaryThis is when the breed judging, group classifications, and the awarding of the top prize, Best in Show, take place. Although for decades the competition was concentrated into just a few days, the current structure spreads out the tests to give more prominence to each category.
The initial phases, such as the Masters Agility Championship and other preliminary tests are being developed in the Jacob K. Javits Convention CenterA huge venue on the banks of the Hudson River has become the established home for the technical and qualifying rounds. It's where the most intense days unfold in terms of the number of dogs, with hundreds of dog-handler teams entering and leaving the rings throughout the day.
Meanwhile, the group rounds and the Best in Show final are held at the Madison Square GardenJust minutes from the Javits Center, this historic arena, known for hosting major concerts and NBA games, is also the traditional venue for crowning America's "Dog of the Year." For European handlers who travel to compete, stepping into the Garden's ring remains one of the highlights of their sporting careers.
In this edition, the tests are divided as follows: the January 31 The agility and flyball competitions are concentrated there; February 2 The breeds judged are those from the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding groups; and the February 3 The Sporting, Working and Terrier groups are completed, in addition to the group finals, Junior Showmanship and the highly anticipated Best in Show.
A historic event: 150 years of dog shows
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show boasts of being the second longest-running sporting event The most continuously held dog show in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby. Its origins date back to 1877, when a group of hunting dog enthusiasts organized the first exhibition at Gilmore's Garden, the venue that would eventually become the original Madison Square Garden.
Since then, the competition has survived world wars, economic depressions, pandemics and snowstorms without cancelling its annual event. Even in particularly difficult years, such as during the First and Second World Wars, the organization maintained the show and allocated part of the profits to charitable causes related to the war effort or animal protection.
The event has also been a reflection of social evolution. Very soon, people joined in. female judges and young managersThis was unusual at the time. In 1888, Anna Henshaw Whitney became the first woman to judge at an American dog show, and in 1934 the Junior Showmanship category was created, which today allows boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 17 to compete.
In the sporting arena, Westminster was a pioneer in introducing disciplines such as obedience and, decades later, agilityIn 2014 the Masters Agility Championship was born, also open to mixed breed dogs (All-American Dogs), and in 2016 the Masters Obedience Championship arrived, expanding the focus of the show beyond pure breed morphology.
Television and, more recently, streaming have boosted its audience. From the first broadcast in 1948 to exceeding one million viewers in 2000, the exhibition has established itself as a classic on the American sports and entertainment calendar, closely followed by European fans and prestigious breeders in Spain, France, Germany, and the Nordic countries.
Categories, competition format and breed groups
The heart of Westminster is the conformation competitionIn this test, dogs are evaluated against the official breed standard: physical structure, movement, proportions, coat, expression, tail, eye color, and, in some cases, aptitudes reminiscent of the work for which they were originally bred. It's not so much about tricks or skills, but rather how "close to the ideal" each dog is.
A dog's journey within the show follows a very defined pattern. First, it competes in Best of Breedfacing off against other dogs of the same breed. The winner of each breed advances to the next level, the Best in GroupThe breeds are grouped into seven main categories: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Finally, the seven group champions compete for the prestigious Best in Show title.
In this edition, the Best in Show title carries the weight of the victory obtained the previous year by Monty, a Giant Schnauzerwho made history in 2025 by becoming the first representative of his breed to achieve the highest distinction. Although Westminster does not offer a direct cash prize to the Best in Show winner, the impact is enormous in terms of reputation, breeding line value, and opportunities for the dog, breeder, and handler.
The organization maintains a clear separation between the conformation competition (reserved for purebred dogs with previous titles) and the agility and obedience trials, where mixed-breed dogs can also participate. This duality helps the event connect with both more traditional breeders and the general public, who often identify more with sporting disciplines.
By groups, the Terriers They remain, historically, the dominant force in the awards, with several dozen Best in Show accumulating, although in recent years the spotlight has been shared among groups like Working and Sporting. In any case, anticipation is at its peak among European enthusiasts and breeders, who often use Westminster as a benchmark for assessing trends and bloodlines, to determine which group will take the crown in 2026.
Masters Agility Championship and other sporting events
Alongside the beauty exhibition, the Masters Agility Championship It has established itself as one of the most dynamic events on the program. In 2026, the competition celebrated its thirteenth edition with timed circuits full of jumps, tunnels, and obstacles, where precision and speed are key.
On this occasion, the absolute title of 2026 Westminster Masters Agility Champion The title went to “Prove-It”, a Border Collie handled by Amber McCune, who achieved a time of 29,81 seconds. Additionally, the All-American dog named “Iron Man”, handled by Merritt Speagle, emerged victorious in the All-American Dog category, posting one of the best times of the competition at 29,6 seconds.
The agility test is structured in different divisions by height (8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 inches), in each of which a winner and several runners-up are declared. Among the notable names in this edition are “Gabby,” a Papillon; “Welly,” a Pembroke Welsh Corgi; “Saga,” a Swedish Vallhund; “Meiko,” a French Bulldog; “Nimble,” another All-American Dog; “Swindle,” a Shetland Sheepdog; “Wendy,” an English Cocker Spaniel; “Primo,” a Papillon; “Bee,” a Shetland Sheepdog; “KittyHawk,” a Border Collie; “Indi,” a Pumi; “Shelby Cobra,” a Border Collie; “Lina,” an All-American Dog; “Bandit,” a Shetland Sheepdog; “Gerard,” a Poodle; “Rodeo,” a Border Collie; “Nolan,” a Labrador Retriever; and “Journey,” a Gordon Setter, completing a very diverse list of breeds and morphologies.
One of the details most valued by the community is that the Westminster Kennel Club allocate the cash prizes The proceeds from these trials go to charity. The overall agility winner receives a $5.000 donation to an accredited training club or the AKC Humane Fund, while the top All-American Dog and the first-place finishers in each height category generate additional donations. In this way, the competition not only rewards athletic performance but also supports canine training and welfare.
Other disciplines complete the program, such as Flyball Tournament And the advanced obedience demonstrations, designed to showcase the dogs' working ability and concentration beyond their appearance. For European audiences, accustomed to seeing agility and obedience trials at Crufts or other major events, the New York version offers the added atmosphere of the Garden and the historic character of Westminster.
Giant inflatable puppies and a festive atmosphere in Midtown
Westminster Dog Show week isn't limited to what happens in the rings. This year, one of the most striking sights in New York is the inflatable puppies over six meters tall Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, very close to Madison Square Garden, this is a promotional campaign by the pet food brand The Honest Kitchen, which wanted to capitalize on the media attention surrounding the event.
These enormous inflatable dogs, inspired by real dogs of the cityThey first make a symbolic journey along the Hudson and East Rivers before permanently "anchoring" in Plaza33, an open-air space adjacent to the Garden. From Monday, February 2nd, until the 13th, the inflatables are on display from early morning until late at night, becoming an attraction for tourists, fans, and curious passersby in the area.
At Plaza33, dog owners can also find, free samples of dehydrated food Wholemade and a small selection of limited-edition products and accessories, all linked to the brand's campaign. It's not an official Westminster event, but it's yet another example of how the commercial and advertising world is embracing the show.
The program of activities in the square also includes a gathering for dog lovers on February 2nd at 18:30 p.m., where New Yorkers are invited to bring their pets to socialize, take photos, and share the experience on social media. Although these kinds of initiatives are primarily aimed at the local community, the image of the inflatables has already gone viral and serves as an informal introduction to the Westminster Dog Show.
For those following the event from Spain or the rest of Europe, this type of action helps to understand the cultural weight which the contest has in the United States, where Westminster week is experienced almost as a mix between a fair, a dog fashion show and an elite sporting competition.
Television coverage and how to follow the show from Spain and Europe
The media coverage of the Westminster Dog Show 2026 is once again based on the Fox Sports family of channels and on the Westminster Kennel Club's own platform. In the United States, the group rounds and Best in Show are primarily broadcast on FS1, while many of the preliminary matches can be seen on FS2 and on the Fox Sports website and app.
The television schedule for the two main days of the tournament establishes time slots for 13:00 to 16:00 (Eastern Time) on FS2 for the preliminaries on Monday and Tuesday, and evening blocks of 19:30 - 23:00 in FS1 for the group trials and the Best in Show final. If we translate these times to mainland Spain, we're talking about sessions that run approximately from 19:00 PM to 22:00 PM for the preliminaries and from 1:30 AM to 5:00 AM for the finals, forcing the most loyal fans to stay up late.
Beyond linear channels, much of the competition is offered live via the official website of the Westminster Kennel Club and its YouTube channel, including the Masters Agility Championship, the flyball tournament, and the Junior Showmanship finals. These free-to-air broadcasts are usually the most accessible option for European audiences, who can tune in without needing to subscribe to US pay television.
Some live TV services like Fubo or DirecTV Stream, very popular in the United States, include FS1 and FS2 in their basic packages and offer free trial periods. However, access from Spain or the rest of Europe may require additional payment. geographic restrictions or the use of additional solutions, so it is usually easier to resort to the broadcasts available on the Westminster website or to official summaries and clips that are published hours after each day.
Several specialized sports publications also carry out live tracking of resultsThe show breaks down the winners of each group and Best in Show awards. For European breeders and enthusiasts who cannot follow the live broadcast, these minute-by-minute scores are a useful tool to stay informed about which lines and breeds are dominating the 2026 edition.
International impact and connection with Europe
The Westminster Dog Show brings together more than 3.000 dogs from all 50 states from the USA, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and nearly twenty other countries. Among the latter, it is common to find specimens originating from Europe—including Spain—either competing directly or present in the pedigrees of top winners.
For many European breeders, Westminster functions as a strategic showcase in the North American market. A good result in New York usually translates into higher demand for puppies, international collaborations, and appearances in advertising campaigns. It's not uncommon for direct descendants of award-winning dogs at the Garden to fetch prices in the thousands of euros, especially in highly sought-after breeds or those with limited supply.
At the same time, the New York show serves as a reference for trends in standards and groomingHairstyles, presentation techniques, types of movement, or even small nuances in the interpretation of the standard seen at Westminster end up influencing other prestigious exhibitions in Europe, generating a kind of long-distance "dialogue" between judges and handlers on both sides of the Atlantic.
In the specific case of Spain, the Westminster Kennel Club has become increasingly popular among breed clubs and enthusiasts who already consider other major events like the FCI World Dog Show a benchmark. Although the number of Spanish dogs present in New York is smaller compared to other canine powerhouses, it is becoming more common to see European handlers collaborating with American teams or preparing dogs that will later compete under the United States flag.
This interconnectedness means that, even watching it from your sofa at home in Madrid, Barcelona, or any other European city, what happens at the Westminster Dog Show ends up influencing the breeding, selection and training decisions that are taken thousands of kilometers from Manhattan.
With its blend of centuries-old tradition, competitive spirit, festive atmosphere in the streets of New York, and increasingly global media coverage, the Westminster Dog Show remains a key event for any dog lover. From the agility trials at the Javits Center to the solemn Best in Show proclamation at Madison Square Garden, the 2026 edition reinforces the show's role as a global benchmark, also for the public and professionals from Spain and the rest of Europe who, year after year, look to Manhattan to gauge the elite of international dog breeding.
