The 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan was back at Madison Square Garden this year, the first time since 2020. Dog fans turned out in full fashion to cheer on their favorite breeds. While every dog may have its day, the Westminster Dog Show is, indeed, fun for all canine lovers. Enjoying an evening of cheering on fluffy faces isn’t exactly a hard sell, but here are some reasons to check out the event in person.
5. Get the Furry Facts
The Westminster Dog Show is full of canine trivia at every turn of the leash. With over 200 breeds represented, the show is a good opportunity to quiz yourself on your dog knowledge. There are also trivia questions on the jumbotron throughout the night and fun facts about the breeds mixed into the breed intros.
You may learn something interesting like when it comes to the Cocker Spaniel, the acronym “ASCOB” refers to Any Solid Color Other than Black or that some terriers can have “broken” coats, which means their covering is a mix of smooth and rough hair. Another key piece of trivia to have in your pocket is that the Westminster is the second-longest-running sporting event in the United States, behind only the Kentucky Derby!
4. Be the Fashion
Whether you love a theme or just want an excuse to dress up, this is it. Sequins are certainly a theme at the show with handlers and guests alike showing up in sparkly jackets and spangled dresses. Bowties were also in abundance paired with dapper suits. The show is also a good opportunity to sport any dog-themed attire, so if you’ve been saving that Scottie Dog sweater or Dachsund-adorned blouse, here’s your chance to show it off!
3. Soak Up the Entertainment
There wasn’t a lot of downtime at the 2025 Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show the night I attended, but there was a fantastic musical act to keep the audience engaged. The Harlem Gospel Choir entertained the crowd with creative renditions of popular songs with pup references mixed in for added chuckles.
2. Crowd Participation
The Garden is a fitting place to hold a show of this kind because dog fans are passionate! When the jumbotron zooms in on the cutest, floofiest face, even the most stoic among us may have a difficult time not uttering an “awwwww.” It’s unavoidable. Whether you find yourself laughing at a big ol’ lip lick or cheering for your favorite pooch, there are so many feel-good opportunities to get involved.
1. Dogs!
It’s no surprise that the top reason to go to Westminster is to see the dogs. Some of the beloved breeds like Golden Retrievers and Great Danes easily pull huge cheers from the crowd, but lesser-known breeds like the corded Komondor and Spinone Italiano certainly have their devoted fans.
It’s incredibly impressive to see all of the well-behaved pooches strut around the stage, but it’s even more fun to watch them relaxing on the sidelines—just being doggos. Giant Schnauzer fans had an especially great time this year with the breed’s win for Best in Show with Monty from New Jersey, but time will have to tell what’s in store for next year!
