Dog days in New York City
February 16, 1998
Web posted at: 11:29 p.m. EST (0429 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Dogs with a high pedigree took over Madison Square Garden on Monday with the opening of the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
The two-day show is the only one in the United States where all 2,500 dogs entered have to be a finished American Kennel Club dog of record -- a champion dog.
On Monday, individual working, terrier and toy dogs were competing. The sporting, hound, working and herding groups will compete on Tuesday.
One dog is selected from each of the 153 breeds. Of these, seven group winners are selected, including sporting, toy and hound group winners.
Finally, one dog is selected as the prestigious "best dog in show" at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Appearance, gait and temperament are the criteria for judges. The dogs are judged against the "ideal standard of that breed," said veteran judge Ann Clark.
The Westminster Kennel Club is one of the oldest dog pedigree clubs in the United States and the organizer of the show.