22 vintage photos of the Westminster Dog Show
The 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be held in New York this weekend.
To celebrate the long-running competition, we've unearthed photos dating back to the '30s.
Behind the scenes, there were portrait opportunities, snacks, and lots of pampering.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been held annually since 1877. Among its fans was children's author Nan Hayden Agle.
She's pictured with Drink-Moor Moonshine, declared the Best English bulldog in 1935.
Here's Jimmy Walker, the former mayor of New York City, and his wife at the 1936 show.
That year a Sealyham terrier, a small breed of terrier that originated in Wales, took the top prize.
A year later, this miniature Doberman pinscher faced off against four great Danes.
Also in 1937, these three English bulldogs looked a bit perplexed.
In 1941, there was no shortage of Dalmatians ready to compete.
Just like today, the winners became instant stars. Photographers swarmed around My Own Brucie after the cocker spaniel won in 1941, for the second year in a row.
This is Warbride of Mazelaine, who was declared the Best of Breed for boxers in 1945.
Sailors' outfits might not be in style anymore, but cute bulldogs will always be popular.
But the overall Best in Show winner in 1945 was none other than this Scottish terrier, Shieling's Signature.
You can see all the winners throughout the years here.
In 1952, artist Smith Gordon offered to create portraits of the beloved pups.
She attended to her makeup while waiting for customers.
Part of the competition used to include herding sheep.
There are still other shows, like agility and obedience, that are part of the larger competition.
Various pet food companies have sponsored the show over the years. Today, it's sponsored by Purina.
The 1952 show showed some love to Red Heart, which also put a lot of money into advertising on baseball cards.
In 1952, the spaniel finalists were judged as thousands of spectators at Madison Square Garden looked on.
Spectators that year were are also treated to snacks.
Preparing a pup for a dog show doesn't differ much from what it takes to get a human ready: This dog had to get his nails clipped.
Owners shared grooming tips behind the scenes at the 1957 show.
In 1955, Kippax Fearnot was crowned Best in Show, making him the second-ever bulldog to take it home.
Orion of Dolomount, a St. Bernard, was dog tired and needed an ice pack after the judging that year.
But the competition didn't just wear out the dogs - here, an owner takes a quick nap, too.
This Chihuahua, Nina Mia Vi, was so small that he was placed in a plastic case to shelter him from the drafts inside Madison Square Garden.
Nina weighed just over 2 pounds.
A man minds a line of schnauzers ready to compete in the '50s.
Something that's timeless, though, is how much we love to snuggle and celebrate our furry friends.
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