Life of a Show Dog

Find out what it takes to become Best in Show as the Museum of the Dog celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Over the course of its 150-year history, Westminster has woven itself into the societal fabric of New York as one of the City’s most beloved traditions. The Life of a Show Dog invites you behind the scenes of the iconic pageantry, precision and passion that define the enduring legacy of the second-oldest continuously held sporting event in the country: The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Drawn from the archives of Westminster, Madison Square Garden, and the AKC Museum of the Dog, this exhibition illuminates the people, dogs, and defining moments that shaped the show’s remarkable history. Through portraits, rare footage, trophies, grooming tables, and other artifacts of devotion, visitors will discover the artistry, discipline, and heart behind the pursuit of “Best in Show.”

From the chaos of the grooming area to the glory of the green carpet, The Life of a Show Dog celebrates 150 years of competition, camaraderie, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs.