A Short History of Westminster

The most famous dog show on Earth got its start with six New York dog lovers.

"I can throw a rock farther than you can.”

“My horse is faster than your horse.”

“My dog is better than your dog.”

Any time men get together, competition ensues. When the gentlemen of Gilded Age New York gathered for cocktails at the Westminster Hotel bar after a good day’s hunting, we can imagine them discussing the merits of their sporting dogs and hounds. From those friendly arguments, it was only a short step to forming a club and putting on their own dog show to settle the age-old question: Whose dog is best?

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