'The Best Westminster Ever'

The 149th Westminster was the best “Garden” ever.

My first Westminster memories date back to 1958, and I have never missed a show since. We had four Westminsters outside of New York City the previous four years. They were great shows, but being back in the city brought back the excitement only enjoyed by Westminster in Manhattan. Having the breed judging at the Javits Center was perfect, and made it so much nicer for exhibitors, handlers and spectators.

Any time a new venue is used, there is always the apprehension that things will not go as planned, or that things were not considered. The committee worked tirelessly for several years to get the Garden back to the city. The Javits Center is booked many years in advance for those dates, as is Madison Square Garden. Coordinating two venues like these is no easy task. For 2026 the show will be one week earlier, on February 2 and 3. I believe the plan for the future is to secure this year’s dates.

The Progressive Dog Club was also back in New York City for the first time in several years. Progressive is an all-breed club that only offers classes for Toy breeds. Metro Mile also only has classes for Toys. The legendary Montgomery County is only for Terriers. At one time the Westbury Kennel Association only offered classes for Terriers.

The New Yorker Hotel was the venue for Progressive and the host hotel for Westminster. This huge, 100-plus-year-old hotel is a very short walk to the Garden and a short bus ride to Javits. We once had two other main hotels: The Hotel Pennsylvania is gone, and the Stewart is no longer available. The vast majority of dog people stayed at the New Yorker. For Progressive, it was much nicer than the old venue at the Penn. The lighting was great, and the décor was very attractive. The three rings were more spacious than the Penn. Progressive was Friday and Saturday, and Sunday was the Yorkshire Terrier national. The overall entry was smaller than expected this year, probably because there were no specialties except for Yorkies. As a result, most dogs were specials. It will grow in future years, as some specialties will come back.

Sporting Group winner English Springer Spaniel GCHP Telltale Bohemian Rhapsody.

Since Progressive started on Friday, I and many others arrived at the New Yorker on Thursday afternoon. They did not have valet parking, but a block away was a garage at a discounted rate. Six full days with the discount was only $300. For New York City, I was surprised that it was not much higher.

The Westminster group rate at the New Yorker was only $239 per night plus tax. We all thought because of the demand that the rate would have been higher. Besides the Tik Tok Diner, the building also has a good Italian restaurant. Downstairs is a very upscale steakhouse.

Since the organized social events did not start until Friday, Thursday evening I had a lovely dinner with some close friends. We were able to secure a reservation at Carmine’s in Times Square. It is always good home-style Italian food, served family style, so each item will feed at least eight people with large appetites. There were six of us, and we only ate less than half of the two appetizers, two entrees and two desserts. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Having two rings running side by side at Progressive with lots of ringside chairs was so accommodating for us spectators. The gate was very good both days. I insisted on paying the $10 fee. I figured the gate would help the show break even, since the entry was much smaller than expected. I know several of the judges were very kind about their bills. Both days the groups were extremely strong. It was difficult for the judges in that a lot of top-quality dogs could not make the cut. The two groups were maybe stronger than the one at the Garden.

Reserve Best in Show and Hound Group winner Whippet GCHP Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon.

The shows finished early enough for people to get to the social activities on Friday. Starting at 4:30 p.m. was the AKC Museum of the Dog cocktail party. It only ran until 6 p.m., which allowed all of us to enjoy Friday-night theater, sumptuous dinners or to attend the French Poodle party at Doubles.

Saturday was the social highlight of the weekend: The Purina Pro Plan Show Dogs of the Year Awards Presented by Dog News was finally able to be back at Gotham Hall. Actually, it was there even last year when Westminster was held in Queens. I was so sorry to miss it last year because it was the same time as the Westminster judges dinner out on Long Island.

Gotham Hall is such a beautiful setting. The entertainment and food are always fabulous. It is always heartwarming to see the winners in all the categories. All the nominees are so very deserving. I have such a difficult time voting, as I always feel all of them should win. I was very touched when I got the news that I was even nominated this year. I was in Italy when I got the call, and I could not tell my friends until the nominations were announced.

When we left the awards dinner, there had to be about four inches of snow on the ground, and the Ubers were taking longer to get to us. The weather did not dampen our plans to celebrate the New York City party life: After getting out of our formal attire, a large group of us headed to Lips for the midnight drag show. Even though the streets were covered in snow, the house was completely packed. When we arrived, we found another large group of our dog friends. It was a fun-filled show. The hostess put a crown on Linda Clark as the birthday girl. Linda always manages to entertain all of us.

Leaving Lips around 2:30 a.m., we all were anxious to return to the New Yorker. Falling into bed, it was nice to know that on Sunday morning none of us had to be anywhere at the crack of dawn.

Terrier Group winner Skye Terrier GCHS Gleanntan's Sure Shot Greyjoy.

Sunday was a nice, leisurely day for all except those who had to trim and prepare for the Garden. On Sunday afternoon people were allowed to take all their equipment over to the Javits Center. This way, Monday morning it meant just getting on the buses from the New Yorker to Javits. If you arrived on the buses Monday or Tuesday, you could enter through the front. If arriving by car or truck with a lot of equipment, there was a back entrance with a loading dock. I did not hear any complaints from any of the handlers or exhibitors about getting into the venue.

Monday and Tuesday afternoon, there were buses to take the breed winners over to the Garden for group judging. Due to some mechanical issues with the buses this year the lines were a little bit longer. Some people even walked between the New Yorker and the Javits Center. Even though we saw some snow starting Thursday, over the long week the weather never became a major issue. We all remember some years when we had major blizzards, but the show always went on.

Monday I awoke early and was energized to get to Javits for the start of the show. There were so many breeds we all wanted to see. Luckily, sometimes some breeds are in adjoining rings, so we can watch two breeds at the same time. I wish the breed judging was over three days so we could watch more breeds. It appears that the limit will be raised next year. This year proved that Javits can accommodate more dogs. It appeared that there is room for more rings. We have to be so thankful that the committee has been able to secure Javits.

The depth of quality was very exciting to watch. Joseph Buchanan had a difficult challenge sorting such high-quality Whippets. After careful examination, Joe narrowed it down to “Bourbon” and “Ivy,” her kennelmate who is the current special that Justin Smithey is campaigning. At the Whippet national last year, in the end Ivy got the nod over Bourbon, who is tied for the record. Besides Ivy and Bourbon, there were several very exceptional specials.

It was a pleasure to watch 15-inch Beagles. The depth of quality was very strong. Dr.  José Luis Payró had the pleasure of judging Afghan Hounds. Everyone was ringside to watch the breed. José worked and worked not only the two big winners, but also several others. The world-famous “Zaida” became the victor. The record-breaking “Louis” was Best of Opposite. José had given Zaida her second Best in Show the same day I had given her her first: It was two shows in one day in Miami two years ago. This past year at the World Dog Show she was Best in Show.

The depth of quality in Poms as usual was very deep. Each year the entry is so strong because of the Asian dogs. They have been dominating the Garden, Orlando and our national for many years now.

Larry Abbott had 16 Smooth Chihuahuas and 23 Long Coats. The quality was very deep. His winner in Longs was not shown at Progressive, and this was her last show, since she will be bred soon. Chihuahuas have come a long way, and the breed is getting stronger and stronger worldwide.

Standard Poodles and Pekes were not until 3 p.m., and as soon as they finished, shortly after 4 p.m., I went and got on the line for the bus back to the New Yorker. Several friends and I opted to have a dinner right in the Italian restaurant in the hotel. It was actually quite good.

Connie Clark had our tickets on her phone for the group judging. Being a new phone, it took quite a bit of time to pull them up, as it required a password. It was so much easier in the days of paper tickets. The good old days are gone forever.

Toy Group winner GCHP Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World.

The crowd for the groups looked small. It normally is much smaller on Monday than Tuesday. On Monday night, the row in front of us was all non-dog people. They said they come to watch the show every year. Even at the hotel elevator, I met a couple of non-dog people who for years come from out West to the show each year. We enjoyed watching the groups, which were all filled with such depth of quality. Because of the time factor, the judges can only pull eight dogs. So many top dogs in all the groups do not make the cut.

Monday after the show was the always fabulous Take the Lead party. It was sold out again this year, and it was great to be able to have it right in the Delta Club at the Garden. I have to admit that by the end of the party I had to go to the entrance area to find a chair. My backand legs were hurting, and exhaustion was setting in.

Tuesday morning, Labradors were on at 9 a.m. Being a slow mover in the morning, I had to set my alarm for 6 a.m. When I arrived ringside, the bleachers were full. I was able to stand in the aisle, where I could see well.

The depth of quality was outstanding. Nearly all the top-winning Labs were present. Several of my favorites, which I had judged in Orlando, were competing. Plus a great-winning older dog came out of retirement. There were several dogs I had recently given groups to, and one a Best in Show. There was only one chocolate competing, but I believe he did go Select Dog.

Non-Sporting winner Bichon Frise GCHS Top Speed Neal.

Allison Sunderman had 17 Scotties. The quality was very deep, since all the top ones were present. There were only 13 Boxers, but wonderful depth. In addition to Boxers, Jay Richardson judged Giant Schnauzers. Besides “Monty,” the show’s eventual Best in Show winner, he had a bunch of very competitive dogs, including a new rising star. It was nice to see so many good St. Bernards. Surprisingly, Neapolitan Mastiffs had an entry of 14. The AKC National Championship show only had 11. Most shows we see very, very few Neos.

We went to Nick & Steph’s for dinner on Tuesday. It has always been a great steakhouse and is on the street level of the Garden. From the entrance there is a side door right into the Garden.

Paula Nykiel had the much-deserved honor of doing Best in Show. She has judged groups at the Garden in the past. Paula has always been one of our most admired judges. Besides being a great judge, she is such a gracious, classy lady. She looked stunning in her outfit, which did not distract us from the dogs. It is a fine line to look stunning without being the center of attention.

Herding Group winner German Shepherd Dog GCHP Kaleef's Mercedes.

It was interesting this year that the lineup was basically rather mature dogs. The English Springer had just turned six. The Whippet is nine and a half. The Giant turned six this past October. The Skye was three days shy of eight years old. The Shih Tzu was five in October. The Bichon turned five recently, as did the German Shepherd Dog.

I have not missed a Garden since 1958! So I have been to 67 shows. I truly believe this was the best Garden ever. The committee deserves so much praise in pulling all the details together, especially with using a new venue.

They say things happen in threes: This was the third Working Group win at the Garden for Best in Show-winning Monty the Giant Schnauzer, and it was the third time Bourbon the Whippet has gone Reserve Best in Show there.