136th Westminster Dog Show

SI Staff | Feb 15, 2012

136th Westminster Dog Show /

136th Westminster Dog Show

The 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show began in earnest at Madison Square Garden on Monday morning. The two-day competition, which got its unofficial start with this weekend's dog fashion show, will feature 2,500 dogs representing 185 breeds. Moses, a Dogue de Bordeaux, looks thrilled to check into his room at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Malachy, a Pekengese, won Best in Show on Tuesday.

Major, a Tibetan Mastiff, gives a clerk the eye while waiting to check in at the Affinia Manhattan hotel.

A Briard waits in the staging area.

Martha Stewart hangs out with a Bichon Frises. Wonder how many trading secrets are hidden in that fuzzy little head.

Rudee, a Briard, gets groomed in the staging area.

Twins? A couple of beagles chill out on the grooming table.

A Maltese lets it all hang down in the staging area.

Libby, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, gets all fluffed up.

A Standard Poodle with pigtails takes a quick rest.

The dog's in the bag? Simon, a Chihuahua, can't decide if he wants in or out of his carrying case.

Sophie, a wide-eyed Standard Poodle, is groomed before being shown.

A toy poodle relieves itself at the indoor bathroom at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Grooming fit for royalty. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gets its hair brushed.

Clara, a Chinese Crested, waits in the staging area.

Handler Dixie Rae shows Cardigan Welsh Corgi Myste Baledwr Free to Disagree to the judges.

Tahoe, an Old English Sheep Dog, looks focused while in the grooming area.

Handler Gwen DeMilta shows Bayshore Georgio Armani, the winner of the Xoloitzcuintli breed. The Xoloitzcuintli was one of six breeds competing in the Westminster show for the first time.

Elvis, a 4-year-old Bearded Collie, gets a workout in at the Green Room Salon and Spa at the Hotel Pennsylvania.

Jenna, a Great Dane from Japan, uses the outdoor facilities at the Spot Suite at the Affinia Manhattan Hotel.

Audrey Reagin and her Toy Poodle Boo perpetuate the stereotype that all dogs look like their owners at the pre-Westminster Fashion Show.

Miu Miu, a Chihuahua, strikes a dashing pose at the pre-Westminster fashion show.

Dixie Bell, a nursing home volunteer dog, sports a Valentine's appropriate outfit at the Fashion Show.

Ashley Alfonso (L), holding her Chihuahua Amazing Grace, and Summer Strand (R), holding her Chihuahua Daisy, participate in a wedding ceremony for the dogs at the pre-Westminster fashion show. Terrifying.

A Lowchen has its tail between its legs in the staging area.

0.1348Z_76271146.jpg — Mike Segar/Reuters

A handler shows a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Published Feb 15, 2012

SI STAFF