Photos: Scenes from the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club dog show
The 143rd Westminster Kennel Club dog show started judging Monday morning, with Pyrenean shepherds, Pembroke Welsh corgis and pugs among the early arrivals. Before the official judging began, dog lovers were treated to several companion events over the weekend in New York:
Westminster Dog Show
In this Monday, Feb. 12, 2018, photo Whiskey, a whippet, competes in the hound group during the 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York. Whiskey the whippet is a top favorite for best in show when the Westminster Kennel Club competition begins Monday(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
APTOPIX Westminster Dog Show
Talos, a Rottweiler is dressed with a pair of sunglasses to look like Elvis Presley during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Karen Lee shields her eyes from the evening sun while her 1-year-old whippet named Tie-dye sits with her during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Kathy Kwait poses with her shih tzu named Shine, 4, during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Kim Vanderwende talks to her border collie named Stella during the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Border collie named Stella competes in the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Talos the Rottweiler dressed to look like Elvis Presley waits for people to pose next to him during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Australian shepherd "Boca" and handler Dave Grubel compete in the masters agility championship during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Handler Susan Knapp Cook directs golden retriever "Twist" in the masters agility championship during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Australian shepherd "Boca" competes in the masters agility Championship during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Golden retriever "Twist" competes in the masters agility championship during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Dog Show
Miniature schnauzer"Rudi" competes in the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A boxer mascot, backleft, dances while people pet a real dog in the foreground during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippets JoJo, left, and Summer, right, stand in the evening light during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Steve Brands holds up a treat for Molly, an all-American dog while waiting to compete in the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Elvis a cocker spaniel waits to compete in the Masters Agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Casey, a Bichon Frise, poses for photos during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Spectators watch the masters agility preliminary rounds of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Laura Esner poses in front of a poster to promote the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
People watch as "Valkyrie,"a Bedlington terrier, competes in the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Lisa Tool displays her ribbon after winning in the masters agility championship with her dog "Plop" during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Dog Show
People relax with their Ridgeback dogs during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A Whippet stands in its booth during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A girl walks past a cat standee during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A Rottweiler is dressed in a wig during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippets JoJo, left, and Summer, right, is greeted by a woman during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Sadie the all american dog competes in the Masters Agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
People sit under photographs of pas winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
A dog looks at a woman working on her laptop at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
A woman poses a Basset Hound under model lighting during the meet the breeds companion event to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Monty, an Old English Sheepdog, is groomed ahead of competing at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. He’s known for sleeping on the competition - literally. He fell asleep before a recent show in Canada while getting groomed, then woke up and won the Best in Breed. (AP Photo/Jake Seiner)
Westminster Dog Show
Biggie the pug with owner Carolyn Koch pose for photos at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Biggie the pug poses for photos at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
A dog is groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Cheslie Pickett Smithey, right, runs with her Whippet Bourbon, winner in the Best of Breed event, while her husband Justin Smithey runs with Whiskey, at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. A top-winning whippet is out of Westminster, knocked off by, of all dogs, his own sister. Whiskey had won the big National Dog Show televised on Thanksgiving Day and the AKC event shown on New Year's Day. But his bid for a Triple Crown of dogdom ended when he was topped by littermate Bourbon in the breed judging this afternoon.(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippet Bourbon looks at her handler in the Best of Breed event, at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A Whippet named Bourbon, winner in the Best of Breed event, waits by her handler Cheslie Pickett Smithey at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Cheslie Pickett Smithey, runs with her Whippet named Bourbon, as they compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. A top-winning whippet is out of Westminster, knocked off by, of all dogs, his own sister. Whiskey had won the big National Dog Show televised on Thanksgiving Day and the AKC event shown on New Year's Day. But his bid for a Triple Crown of dogdom ended when he was topped by littermate Bourbon in the breed judging this afternoon. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Cheslie Pickett Smithey reaches for a dog treat tucked in her competition identity tag as she handles her Whippet named Bourbon, during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippets from the same litter Bourbon, left, sniffs her brother Whiskey, center, before the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whiskey the Whippet listens to commands from his handler Justin Smithey during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Jim Fredricks, center, carries his Whippet Kennedy while his wife stands with them, left, ahead of the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Justin Smithey runs with his whippet named Whiskey during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Lindsey Grispin gives her whippet named Lizzy a massage before they compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippets and their handlers wait to compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Handlers line up their Old English sheepdogs during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Handlers with their Old English sheepdogs wait to compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
An Old English sheepdog name Bugaboo's Let It Go Blu Mtn gets her fur brushed during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
An Old English sheepdog named Bagatelle Moonlight Drive has its fur brushed ahead of the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Boston terriers walk among their handlers during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A Boston terrier looks at its handler during the Best in Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A toy poodle is groomed ahead of the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Denise Agre-gill uses a styling spray to groom her toy poodle Andre before they compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A judge examines Pikku, a Norwegian Lundehund breed, during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Pikku, a Norwegian lundehund breed, competes in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Tracy Rousseau, left, owner and handler of dog Eva, and Jessica de Jong, handler of dog Pikku, both the Norwegian Lundehund breed, compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Siba, a standard poodle, is groomed before competing in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A handler adjusts her whippet's stance during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A Whippet is shown inside the ring while competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Fame the Whippet stands ringside before competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York City. (AP Photo/Nat Castaneda)
Westminster Dog Show
Bourbon gets a treat at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Hamlin)
Westminster Dog Show
Whiskey competes at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Hamlin)
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
THIS CORRECTS THE LAST NAME TO TOPOL AND NOT TOOL AS ORIGINALLY SENT - Lisa Topol displays her ribbon after winning in the masters agility championship with her dog "Plop" during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Westminster Dog Show
A Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever waits to go in the ring in the junior showmanship competition at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz)
Westminster Dog Show
Denise Agre-gill grooms her Toy Poodle Andre before they compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Siba, a standard poodle is groomed before competing in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Siba, a standard poodle is groomed before competing in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A whippet competes in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whippets wait at the side of the ring while waiting to compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whiskey the whippet competes in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
An old english sheepdog is groomed during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Women pose with their dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A whippet rests on the side of the ring while waiting to compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Tracy Rousseau, owner and handler of dog Eva, as Norwegian Lundehund, is seen during the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A woman looks at other competitors in the ring as she waits with others to compete in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
Whiskey the whippet poses next to his handler Justin Smithey as he competes in the Best of Breed event at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Westminster Dog Show
A young handler and dog compete in junior showmanship at the Westminster Kennel Club dog in New York on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz)
As featured on
NEW YORK (AP) — As people peer into DNA for clues to health and heritage, man's best friend is under the microscope, too.
Leslie Fried is a prominent dog breeder who has been turning out champion Rottweilers since 1986. She says she knows a winning Rottie when she sees one, and a number of years ago, she thought she had an outstanding female for the show ring.
