First time for Obedience competition at America’s Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club will expand its activities next February in New York City with the addition of The Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster.
The Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster will be an invitation-only competition. It will mark the first time that obedience competition has been held as part of Westminster and, like agility, mixed breed dogs are eligible to compete.
The obedience competition will consist primarily of existing AKC approved Open and Utility Exercises. Not all exercises will be included and some, including the group exercises, may be slightly modified. Invitations will be sent to the top 150 dogs based on OTCH points earned between January 1, 2015 and October 31, 2015. Invitations will be mailed in late November. The entry limit is 35 and entries will be compiled on a first-received basis.
Obedience competition first became an AKC activity in the mid-1930s, but this marks Westminster’s first venture into this popular canine sport. Mrs. Sharon Ann Redmer of Whitmore Lake, MI will serve as the judge for this historic event.
The 140th Annual Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 15-16, serves as the centerpiece of Westminster Week, with all events presented by Purina Pro Plan.
The obedience event will also take place on Monday during the day in the same location as the breed judging (Piers 92 and 94). The competition joins the dog show and the Third Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster, which takes place on Saturday, Feb. 13, at Pier 94.
The agility, the breed judging in the dog show, and obedience will all be held at Piers 92 and 94, with the Groups and Best in Show for the dog show happening Monday and Tuesday evenings at Madison Square Garden.