Question of the Week

Karolynne McAteer

Pinehurst, North Carolina

I have been to Javits on many occasions, including just prior to Westminster for the AKC Meet the Breeds. The agility and obedience competitions were fabulous on Saturday, and the demonstration rings were crowded with spectators. The 10-ring set-up on Monday and Tuesday, with the benching we remember from the past, held the dogs easily. But it was when you took your seat at the Garden, and looked down into the ring, that your head said, "Welcome home." The seats were packed to the rafters, and the dogs, well, they were spectacular. Congrats to all at WKC for getting home.

Lydia Hutchinson

Middletown, Maryland

Very positive! It seemed like the Javits Center was close to perfect for the daytime judging.

Meg Callea

Shelton, Washington

Having been to Westminster for more than 45 years as a photographer and exhibitor, I have to say Javits is by far the best place ever! It is so open, and easy to get around. Getting to Javits and into the building was great! The people working the doors were the BEST! REAL DOG PEOPLE who understand what we need. Maybe a few more shuttle buses. The benching was wonderful; the space is a bit tight as Dals normally have 24-inch-wide crates, and the benching is 23 inches wide. The aisles were so wide! And the tape on the floor was really helpful. Again, maybe a bit more space so a 24-inch-by-36-inch table can fit. Visiting the vendors was so open and accessible!

I am so glad to have Westminster back where it belongs. It felt like Westminster! Yes, February has its issues, always. But it is Westminster, and it belongs in Manhattan in February!

Denise Wilczewski

Wall Township, New Jersey

I found Westminster at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center a thousand times better!

Javits was not great: The line for unloading was awful; unloading to go home, same. Parking is difficult and expensive. Then there is the building: Concrete floors are murder on the legs and back. The lights are not great for eyes. The stairs to go out for older people (elevator full) are enormous. The Piers were much better; Lyndhurst was much better also.

Sorry, it was a negative all around. That was my experience — I’m sure others had a different one. I can only speak for myself.

William Burland

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

The Javits Center proved to be one of the best Westminster venues I’ve attended — and I’ve been going since 1974.

Unloading and access: Surprisingly easy! Having worked in Manhattan for years, I expected logistical challenges, but unloading was smoother than almost any show I’ve been to (or run).

Benching area: Spacious, with approximately 20 feet between rows, making for a comfortable experience. However, the individual benching allocations were a bit tight and could be improved.

Crowd management: Even with 450 additional tickets (reportedly) sold on Tuesday compared to Monday, the benching area didn’t feel crowded with spectators. This was a welcome change from the more packed environments at the Piers and Madison Square Garden in previous years.

Ring atmosphere: Absolutely electric! The crowd energy was reminiscent of a Yankees World Series game, bringing an unparalleled level of excitement to the competition.

Suggestions for improvement: Slightly larger individual benching spaces. Maintain the efficient unloading process — this was a major plus. Ensure the energy and accessibility of the event remain priorities in future years.

Would I attend again? Yes, absolutely! The Westminster Kennel Club has found a winning formula with the Javits Center.
 

Celeste M. Gonzalez

Thomasville, North Carolina

I LOVE the Javits Center for the daytime Westminster classes! There was much more room for benching/grooming, vendors and rings. That being said, the vendors were a bit spread out. Much of the crowding around rings and in the ready areas could have been avoided if vendors were moved closer together and rings spread out into a good bit of the space taken by vendors.

The weather was uncooperative a few days, and that made the Javits Center all the better for the show. It was easy getting in and out, and there were plenty of elevators to take exhibitors and their gear to the benching areas.

I noticed many non-show people in attendance, and they asked fantastic questions when I spoke with many of them. Kudos to WKC for a fantastic show! And being back at Madison Square Garden for groups and BIS … just fabulous!

Tuni Conti

Oxford, Connecticut

Westminster is the GOAT or Tom Brady of dog shows.

Thank you to all the members for a fantastic show! We loved it.

Desi Murphy

Monroe, New York

It was the best Westminster ever. Javits worked great, and so happy to be back in the Garden for the groups.

Susan Thibodeaux

Cocoa, Florida

I am so happy we returned to Manhattan! I loved it! The Javits Center was a wonderful place to hold the daytime judging. The WKC members were welcoming, the show was well organized, we weren’t as crowded as in the past, and we were even allowed to bring chairs to our benching areas. We stayed warmer waiting to exit for the buses than we were at the Piers. And what can beat being in Madison Square Garden for the groups and BIS? 

Progressive Dog Club shows at the New Yorker were a fabulous precursor to Westminster, and we enjoyed the entire weekend. And having Macy’s, Times Square, Broadway shows and fabulous restaurants in walking distance made it a wonderful weekend in New York City. Thank you, Westminster Kennel Club and Progressive Dog Club, for amazing shows and returning to Manhattan!

Barbara Cohl

Laurel, Maryland

I had a wonderful time, but have some suggestions. The Javits Center had some issues for exhibitors such as myself.

The benching area was a mere cubbyhole. We need much more space than what was provided to us.

The ladies restrooms were inadequate given the number of people attending. Long lines, and three stalls were simply not enough.

The food choices were surprisingly not up to par.

Too many spectators!

The size of the Javits Center could have been utilized better.

I used Sunday to set up my cubby. We were online to enter the building for one hour and 45 minutes. We were told they were understaffed.

Norma Friel

Palm Coast, Florida

The best televised Westminster ever. Unable to go, I could watch the afternoon and evenings thank to the FOX network. The woman and man that narrated were fabulous and far superior to all the other people who did the job in previous years. They were knowledgeable about the sport of dogs and shared good information for people who were pet dog owners, breeders and handlers. The Javits Center was a perfect place for the morning and afternoon events. From what I heard the people who attended and those who watched from home were very pleased with Westminster this year.

Sue Bauman 

Allentown, Pennsylvania 

It’s so disheartening that such a prominent show cannot be held in one location for breed and group judging. This adds an unnecessary expense for exhibitors, who already have paid large entry fees, and parking and hotel expenses. On top of which, anyone not attending has to pay to watch it on FS1. So exactly how much more money does the club need to take from exhibitors and dog fanciers? Put this back on a channel that has free access and in one location, as it seemed to work out well at Tarrytown and the Billie Jean King Arena!

Mrs. R. Cameron A. Lickey

Greenfield, Indiana

My impressions of Westminster 2025: The Best in Show ring was loaded with gorgeous dogs. Personally, I would have narrowed it down to Mercedes the Shepherd, Comet the Shih Tzu or the Skye Terrier. (Sorry, don't know that dog’s call name.) Bourbon the Whippet showed her age, though she is still gorgeous. Though he is top dog, I was not impressed with the Giant Schnauzer, Monty.

Jill Ferrera

Thousand Oaks, California

I thought the overall presentation was excellent on television and was so very impressed with Jason Hoke’s knowledgeable input — BRAVO!

Fran Mack

Northfield, New Jersey

This was my fifth time competing with my Bulldogs at Westminster: three times at the Piers, once in Queens and most recently the Javits Center. By far Javits was my favorite venue. I have also attended AKC Meet the Breeds a few times in the past few years, so I was familiar with the venue. It didn’t disappoint. The logistics were perfect, as I travelled from New Jersey. Security was much improved since the tennis center. Very spectator friendly. It was even more exciting to receive an Award of Merit! 

Dave Giordano 

Annandale, New Jersey

Too many people with wristbands flooding the aisles for exhibitors, and dogs cannot get in nor out; we were being pushed and shoved by many people who did not have anything to do with the dogs in those particular rings. All professional handlers and judges had wristbands on for a 9 o’clock showing, but they flooded all the ready rings throughout the building as spectators. 

Westminster Kennel Club gave an extra wristband to help the exhibitors. Hundreds of people took advantage of it and used aisles as spectators. I’m sure the Westminster Kennel Club will address this for next year.

Otherwise, fantastic job. So glad to be back into a Westminster-type atmosphere at MSG.

D'Arry Jone Frank

Georgetown, Kentucky

I loved the new location for Westminster! Although I prefer it to be in the spring, as it was the last four years, if we MUST go back to February, I hope it remains at the Javits Center. The benching area got plenty of traffic from spectators, and yet had plenty of room to not feel cramped or crowded. I found it the same in the vending area — very spacious. I also found the location of the rings easily accessible from the benching area, with very little congestion. I did hear that the bathroom situation was not great, although I personally did not have a problem, but suggestions concerning a changing area for exhibitors sounds like a good idea.

I know I will be back next year!