How To Watch This Year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY - Getty Images
Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY - Getty Images

Though the nation is cautiously reopening, amid widespread vaccination and declining COVID-19 cases, it'll still be a while before many large-scale events can safely take place. That's why this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show is moving away from its longtime location in the heart of New York City, and will instead take place upstate.

As the U.S.'s second oldest continuously running sporting event, beaten only by the Kentucky Derby, the show has a long and proud history. Throughout its run, dating all the way back to 1877, the show has predominantly taken place at Madison Square Garden, and was planned to go ahead there again this year. But instead, per The New York Times, the 2021 show will take place at Lyndhurst, a riverside country estate in the upstate village of Tarrytown. Lyndhurst has been the site of many dog shows in the past, and its open-air setting is ideal for the pandemic era.

“The wide-open outdoor space at this extraordinary venue allows us to hold a dog show safely while following current social distancing guidelines and public health regulations,” said Westminster president Charlton Reynders III in a statement.

This year's Westminster Kennel Club show will feature over 2,500 dogs, with 206 breeds and varieties represented. It will take place on the weekend of June 11 through June 13, beginning with the masters agility championship on the Friday, June 11.

Highlights from the show will be broadcast live on Fox throughout the weekend, and the Sunday night finale will also air live. The Westminster website will also be streaming portions of the show live. A full schedule of coverage is available here.

You Might Also Like