The Westminster dog show is coming in a few weeks!

[K9karen]

Edited to say: The toy group is done and once again I chose a different dog to win. But that's okay. Some day I hope to be owned by a Papillon. My upstairs neighbor, 2 doors down has one and I just love her to pieces.

*Raises Hand!* Me too! Those ears, that face, the eyes! A total sweetheart.

[Freedom]

Drummer made Group 2! GORGEOUS bichon, just gorgeous!

Back 4 years ago, when I was looking, it was the Papillon I thought I'd get. Then some folks on here suggested the bichon.

[fritz03]

Well done for the Bichon who finished 2nd in Non Sporting,wasn't crazy about the winner,the Shih Tzu didn't place in the Toy Group but the breed it descended form the Pekingese finished 1st.There 3 dogs from Canada in the Toy group,the Havanese from Calgary,Alberta,The Brussels Griffon from Guelph,Ontario about 3 hours west of here and the Yorkshire Terrier form Coquitlam ,British Columbia.We will be watching it tonight for sure.

[cassiesmom]

Quick question. The way a poodle's coat is styled for the show -- how long does that take? And does the dog get styled back to a regular coat when it isn't show time? And the Bichon- do you have to use a dryer or tease the coat or put a styling product on it to get the "powder puff" look? And, same question- do you change the style back when it isn't show time? How do you teach a dog to be patient at the stylist's? I wonder, for a dog like a Beardie or an Old English Sheepdog, how long does it take to care for their full coats? For other dogs, huskies or collies or shelties- does the groomer comb or brush them beforehand so they look their best? I noticed that some breeds with the fuller coats, the handler has a brush or comb at hand even while they are in the ring. Some day I hope to have a dog.

[IRescue452]

Most of the dogs do not get a pet clip when off the show because they are at shows year-round. Some get their hair wrapped up at times to keep it nice. The dogs learn from an early age to stand on a table or crate and stay still during grooming. It can take about 3 hours for a large dog like an English sheepdog to get the bath and brush out. It took me about an hour once to do an ok job at a poodle lip on a cocker spaniel, so I'd imagine a good groomer could do it in 2 or 3 well enough for show. You can definately take breaks in between to stretch and let the razor cool.

The only dog I didn't like so far was that dalmatian. His spots were all run together. I guess it isn't a big fault if you can distinguish them as spots overlapping rather than patches but wouldn't a breeder rather let this one go to a pet home?

[Pinot's Mom]

The only dog I didn't like so far was that dalmatian. His spots were all run together. I guess it isn't a big fault if you can distinguish them as spots overlapping rather than patches but wouldn't a breeder rather let this one go to a pet home?

Awww.... I liked the Dalmation....

[lvpets2002]

Yes I watch the Westminster every year.. I am always happy for whom ever wins..