10 Things You Didn't Know About Westminster Kennel Club

Photo Courtesy WKC

1. The WKC Logo of a Pointer was an actual dog named Sensation

In 1876 the men of the Westminster Club commissioned George deForest Grant, an early club official, to find a pointer that could be used for breeding.

Grant received a photograph of a dog named Don who had been named a three time champion over the course of the previous 2 years, impressed with the photo and championship record, the club imported Don from England and renamed him Sensation. The pointer went on to win additional titles in the 1870’s, twice in Baltimore, and once each in St. Louis and Boston.

The image of Sensation is still used throughout WKC branding and has been featured on numerous club catalogs since 1878. Sensation’s registration record can be found in Volume IV of the English Kennel Club stud book and Volume I of the American Kennel Club (then National American Kennel Club) stud book.

2. The Westminster Club, which later became the WKC, was originally a gentleman’s shooting club.

Prior to the founding of the Official Westminster Kennel Club, a group of outdoorsmen would get together and trade stories about hunting, shooting, and their field dogs. The early stages of the WKC came from Sensation and the men’s desire to breed and train pointers for hunting purposes.

Photo Courtesy WKC

3. The Westminster Kennel Club was named after a Manhattan hotel

The Westminster Club was named for the men’s favorite spot to meet, the bar of the old Westminster Hotel in Manhattan, NY. The name stuck with the club as they transitioned into breeding and showing dogs.

4. The WKC is older than the light bulb

Formed in 1877, the WKC outdates the light bulb by 2 years. Edison received a patent for the incandescent bulb in 1879. 

5. The WKC has registered and shown the dogs of royal families, politicians, and athletes.

According to Westminster record the very first show featured 2 staghounds from the late General George Custer and 2 deerhounds bred by the Queen of England. A Siberian Wolfhound bred by the Czar of Russia and a Russian Wolfhound owned by the Emperor of Germany were entered in 1889 and 1890, respectively. The Collies of the J.P. Morgan family appeared in 1893, the first of several appearances, and 40 years later in 1933 Baseball Legend Lou Gehrig’s German Shepherd competed and placed second in the Open Bitch Class.

6. Best in Show award was first given in 1907

The names of the 10 judges who decided the winner was not recorded, in fact, the names of the panel of judges that determine Best in Show wasn’t recorded until 1912.

7. Only 7 dogs have won Best in Show multiple times.

• Ch. Warren Remedy (Smooth Fox Terrier)-1907, 1908, 1909
• Ch. Matford Vic (Wire Fox Terrier)-1915, 1916
• Ch. Conejo Wycollar Boy (Wire Fox Terrier)-1917, 1920
• Ch. Pendley Calling of Blarney (Wire Fox Terrier)-1930, 1931
• Ch. My Own Brucie (Black Cocker Spaniel)-1940, 1941
• Ch. Rancho Dobe’s Storm (Doberman Pinscher)-1952, 1953
• Ch. Chinoe’s Adamant James (English Springer Spaniel)-1971, 1972

8. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was first televised in 1948

Harry Truman was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year and a Bedlington Terrier named Ch. Rock Ridge Night Rocket won Best in Show. 

Photo Courtesy WKC

9. There were 1201 dogs entered in the first dog show in 1877

The $2 entry fee, roughly $50 in 2017 dollars, covered care and feeding of the dogs during the show.

Photo Courtesy WKC

10. Rumor, the 2017 Best in Show, is only the 2^nd German Shepherd to win the coveted title

In 2017, Rumor has it! Congratulations to the picturesque German Shepherd, Rumor, on her Best in Show win at last week’s 141^st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! Rumor’s title marks the first time in 30 years that a German Shepherd has been named Best in Show and only the second time in Best in Show history!

Bonus Facts:

• 1.Terriers have won more Best in Show than any other breed
• 2.The largest dog to ever win Best in Show was in 1984 when a 155 pound Newfoundland won the title
• 3.The smallest dog to ever win was a 4.5 pound Pomeranian in 1988

References:

1948 Trivia, Facts, & History. Pop-Culture. http://www.pop-culture.us/Annual/1948.html Accessed 21 Feb 2017.

About Sensation. Westminster Kennel Club. http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/about-sensation/ Accessed 21 Feb 2017.

Best in Show Winners. Westminster Kennel Club. http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/best-in-show-winners/ Accessed 21 Feb 2017.

The Colorful History of America’s Dog Show. Westminster Kennel Club. http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/about-sensation/history/ Accessed 21 Feb 2017.

“Westminster Dog Show Fast Facts.” CNN Library. http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/us/westminster-dog-show-fast-facts/index.html Accessed 21 Feb 2017.

WKC Historical Highlights. The Dog Press. http://www.thedogpress.com/DogShows/Westminster/WKC-History.asp Accessed 21 Feb 2017.