The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, leading U.S. dog show competition, held annually by the New York City-based Westminster Kennel Club (WKC).
The designation Best in Show, awarded since 1907, is considered the highest distinction in American dog competition.
All AKC breeds and varieties—adding up to about 185 in the early 21st century—take part in the competition.
Every entrant to the WKC Dog Show must be a champion, a status it achieves by earning a minimum number of points in official AKC competitions.
In the early rounds of the competition, dogs compete within their breeds according to a formal breed standard.
The seven group winners then compete for the title Best in Show.
The WKC show is one of only a few benched dog shows in the United States; that is, each dog is required to be in its assigned space (bench) in an offstage area when it is not competing in the ring.
The show, telecast annually since 1948, takes place over two days in February.