FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Another Full House for 2004
It will be another full house for the Westminster Kennel Club’s 128th Annual Dog Show February 9-10. As has become the norm, the limit of 2,500 dogs for the dog world’s premiere event was reached in less than an hour after entries opened on December 5.
Golden Retrievers have the highest entry for an individual breed or variety with 43. Dachshunds, with three varieties, have a total entry of 79 (Wirehaired Dachshunds have 33 entries). Other top entries include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 39, Australian Shepherds 38, Pugs 37, Chinese Cresteds 36, Havanese 36, Rhodesian Ridgebacks 35, Rottweilers 35, Labrador Retrievers 34. Poodles have a total entry of 37 in three Varieties.
All 162 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club will be represented at the show.
Three newly-recognized breeds will be competing for the first time at Westminster: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (16 entries), German Pinschers (17), and Toy Fox Terriers (12). There are also 137 entries in Junior Showmanship, where young handlers age 10-18 compete on their handling abilities.
By state, California (252 entries) and New York (246) will have the largest contingents representing their state. All 48 of the contiguous states, Puerto Rico and Canada have entries (complete state-by-state breakdown follows). The 42 judges officiating at the show come from 23 states and Canada.
For a full listing of entries and the judging schedule, log on to the Westminster web site at www.westminsterkennelclub.org.
ENTRIES BY STATE: Alabama 16, Arizona 34, Arkansas 7, California 252, Colorado 43, Connecticut 108, Delaware 16, Florida 136, Georgia 48, Idaho 1, Illinois 74, Indiana 43, Iowa 8, Kansas 14, Kentucky 34, Louisiana 15, Maine 8, Maryland 104, Massachusetts 98, Michigan 89, Minnesota 42, Mississippi 3, Missouri 31, Montana 4, Nebraska 7, Nevada 5, New Hampshire 21, New Jersey 178, New Mexico 7, New York 246, North Carolina 53, North Dakota 1, Ohio 102, Oklahoma 25, Oregon 19, Pennsylvania 181, Rhode Island 16, South Carolina 21, South Dakota 1, Tennessee 42, Texas 145, Utah 3, Vermont 8, Virginia 80, Washington 73, West Virginia 5, Wisconsin 37, Wyoming 1. OTHERS: Puerto Rico 4, Canada 62.
The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster’s influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The show is America’s second longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby. Westminster will stage its 128th consecutive show on February 9-10, 2004, nationally televised on USA Network.www.westminsterkennelclub.org.