Why We Like to Watch Westminster

Monday night we watched the 135th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, broadcast on the USA Network for the first hour then on CNBC for the final two hours. We had interviewed expert commentator David Frei (photo, right) before the show via telephone which made the broadcast especially fun for us.

Frei, now in his 22nd year as commentator for the show, noted that the live aspect of the broadcast is one the unique aspects of watching this show. “You’re seeing what we are seeing as it happens. It adds to the feel of what we are doing and makes it very special.”

Frei pointed out to us that there are three primary reasons people watch the Westminster broadcast. The canine expert noted the viewers watch for the “competition, to see who will be America’s dog next year; for the entertainment, with 179 breeds and varieties; and for the alma mater factor. If you are sitting at home with a Brittany, you are rooting for the Brittany.”

Well, of course our dogs Tiki and Irie are very mixed breeds…but that gives us a whole team to root for at the show! After all, Frei said, “Westminster is a celebration of the dogs in our lives whether they are purebred or not.”

So last night that alma mater factor was in full force and we were pulling for the coonhounds:

…and the bulldog…

…and the Shetland Sheepdog…

…and the poodle…

…and tonight we’ll have to root for the Labrador Retriever, the German Shorthair Pointer, and the Doberman! We’re looking forward to watching the rest of the show and seeing who is named Best in Show.

But, in terms of Best in Show, our favorite part of our interview with David Frei summed up why we, and so many people, love to watch Westminster. The expert commentator summed it all up: “The Best in Show dog is the one sitting by you anyway.”

Photo credits: David Frei: Jason DeCrow/USA Network; Bluetick coonhound: Jason DeCrow/USA Network; Redbone coonhound: Jason DeCrow/USA Network; bulldog: Jason DeCrow/USA Network; toy poodle: Jason DeCrow/USA Network

About Paris Permenter and John Bigley

DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.

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