• Wire-haired Dachshund, Dalmatian, Pekingese and German Shepherd win groups on night one
• Which breed will be named America's Dog tomorrow?
What do you get when you crossbreed the seismic cuteness of the Puppy Bowl with the Linsanity of Madison Square Garden?
The answer is you get a treat—the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, now in its 136th year. Long considered the nation's premier canine contest, Westminster has slimmed down in 2012, dropping the number of entries from 2500 to 2000. But the WKC has also added six new breeds, including the cesky terrier (which looks like a squatter version of Asta), the Entlebucher Mountain dog (which, as everyone knows, is the smallest of Switzerland's Sennenhunds. Obviously.), and the breed that would clean up in Words with Friends—the Xoloitzcuintli. (Say it with me now: "Show-low-its-queen-tlee." But let's just agree to call it a "show-low.")
Westminster began this morning with best in breed judging and tonight's live coverage will feature the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups. Tomorrow night's events include the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups, culminating of course with Best in Show. In other words America's Dog for 2012.
So fill up a bowl of Milk Bones—and sit.
Yes, you can actually bet on Westminster, but handicapping it is a bitch. According to Johnny Avello, director of the sports book at Wynn Las Vegas, there are ten breeds to watch this year: Pekingese, Black Cocker Spaniel, Fox Terrier (Wire), Affenpinscher, Fox Terrier (Smooth), Kuvasz, Whippet, English Springer Spaniel, Boxer, Miniature Pinscher.
Avello sees the Pekingese as the overall favorite (at 6-1), but if you're looking for a longshot, he lists the Shiba Inu at 1000-1.
There are two winners from this morning's best in breed competition with a little star power behind them. In the aforementioned Xoloitzcuintli (or "Show low") category, "Giorgio Armani" was named the best Mexican hairless. Look for him to be a crowd favorite tonight.
And among the Chow Chows, Martha Stewart's young pup was named top dog. The proud owner tweeted about the victory and included a very cute photo: "Ghenghis khan did it! Best of Breed at Westminster!!!!Big Deal"
There's never a bad time to watch Best in Show, Christopher Guest's painfully funny mockumentary about Westminster.
And sports fans will no doubt recognize Fred Willard's dog show color commentator as a spot-on parody of the great Joe Garagiola.
If you're wondering what happened to last year's champion, Hickory, the Scottish wolfhound retired after winning Best in Show in 2011. And then she had puppies.
And we have released the hounds! Notable breeds in this group include the beagle, basset hound, bloodhound, and the new breed for 2012—the American English coonhound.
I know this coonhound has waited awhile to make it into the WKC show, but I just don't see any star power from this guy.
This breed is always a crowd-pleaser and Yahoo doesn't disappoint. A scent hound, he wrinkled his nose for the judge.
Well, honestly, who doesn't love a beagle? But any dog in this breed has big paws to fill—the 2008 Westminster champion, Uno, who had more star quality than Uggie. And the little stud is now retired.
Another scent hound and another eternal crowd favorite. And not just because his sense of smell is 20 times more powerful than humans. This entry clearly has not had Botox.
A classic hunting hound, the Borzoi has always struck me as too regal to chase down bloody, wounded animals. It's also the dog on the side of Knopf's books. Aidan hails from Connecticut. Of course he does.
The long-haired was feisty and seemed to be running around maniacally. But in a cute way. While the smooth dachshund, Gino, seems much more chill. Now the wire-haired dachshund has a fantastic beard. No one has told this dog that the grunge look is over.
A little more muscular than the American Fox Hound, this entry had a real elegance as he made his rounds.
@BradCTucker tweets: "Do they bring back former winners to perform? Is there an in memoriam tribute?"
Last year's winner, Hickory is in Madison Square Garden tonight. But most previous champions are just living the life—making puppies.
Sadly, this breed is now associated with the bus line, but this breed deserves respect—only the cheetah is faster.
This breed looks like cross between a beagle and a fox hound. And size-wise, he fits right in between.
I've always loved Irish wolfhounds—their size, their beards, and their surprisingly sweet demeanor.
The owner/handler/breeder of this entry, Eric, is always a bridesmaid at Westminster. She producers best in breeds, but has never won the big prize.
This breed has a formal name that's way too fahncy...so it goes by its much cooler nickname: the PBVG. It doesn't make the dog quite as punk as its shortened name sounds, but it helps.
Here's a badass dog. With a name to back it up—Capone. He's big and black. And the mob crowd at MSG really responded to him.
Another fast hound that looks way too precious to be a ferocious hunting dog. But Jada is from Texas so you know she's not afraid to mix it up.
This breed was last year's winner at the WKC, so don't expect a repeat. Sir Walter Scott once called this dog "A most perfect creature of heaven." Well, not this dog. But you get the idea.
Looking like a miniature greyhound, this whippet is, well, whippet-thin. And with that we have reached the end of the hound group.
Any favorites you saw?
Me, I like Capone. But you can never bet against a beagle.
It looks like we have the beagle, the long-haired dachshund and wire-haired, the Norwegian elkhound, the Rhodesian ridgeback, and the whippet...
The Wire-Haired dachshund takes it! Great beard.
The great Paddy O Doors tweets another great dog scene. Or in this case, a "dag" scene—from Snatch.
With that hideous accent, it's almost hard to remember it's Brad Pitt.
The simple way to think of these dogs: Would Paris Hilton or Joan Rivers own it?
Release the toys!
Ask a woman if she'd rather date a small man with a big dog or a big man with a small dog, and you know the answer.
But, remember, Vegas has the Pekingese in this category as the favorite for Best in Show.
Joe is up first and he's from Massachusetts. This kind of black cotton ball dog is not going to help Mitt Romney in November.
First of all, this is not pronounced "griffin"...it's "grif-FON." Which only adds to the fey factor. But that's okay, because this dog's name is Tina Fey. Decent beard though.
Okay Sex and the City fans, this is the dog for you. This is the kind of dog Charlotte had. Some decent tongue action here.
Eli, the long-coated chihuahua is the first of this breed out. Based on his name, Eli should do well in New York. But the crowd doesn't seem to be behind him.
Next up is the smooth-coated chihuahua—the kind that will tell you to "drop the chalupa."
The Chinese crested chihuahua has the best hair of the night so far—total '80s hair band. Or a Real Housewife from Beverly Hills.
This dog has a good name for a little dog—Dash—but it's not about the name.
The ruby variety has a lot more spunk. His name is Bouncer and he is living up to his name. And by up, I mean no higher than your knee.
It's hard to believe such a hairy dog would come from Cuba. Also, it's good that politics isn't coming into play here. The crowd is applauding Rio.
Essentially a miniature greyhound, this dog is prancing and you can just see how high-maintenance he is. (And I say that as someone who is sky-high-maintenance.)
Chin-sanity! It's Chin-sanity at the Garden! Oh wait...no it's not. It's polite applause for this little guy.
I cannot believe this dog's name is Hank. I would have bet a lot of money this was a female. First of all, he has the most lush white mane. Second, he has black bows in his hair. I see a LOT of therapy in this dog's future.
Well, based on it's name, Guardian readers should support this little Manchester, Margie, that looks like a Doberman that's been left in the dryer way too long.
MinPin-sanity! It's MinPin-sanity at the Garden! Oh wait...no it's not. But min pins are always crowd favorites. And this guy thinks he owns the place.
With those goofy hairy ears that look like butterflies, this dog has always gotten big applause at Westminster. And the crowd seems to like Dave.
The No. 2 dog at last year's Westminster, Malachi looks like a baby Ewok...but he's a favorite. And could win the category.
Here comes Peyton, who looks like a rust-colored powder puff. I think Eli has Peyton beat in this category.
This breed is always the most foppish of any dog in the category. With those puffy heels and flowing Darth Vader helmet, the crowd loves him.
Walter is a local dog—a New York City pug with a mug that looks like J. Edgar Hoover. Crowd pleaser.
On Inside the Actor's Studio recently, George Clooney was asked what his favorite word was. His answer? "Shih tzu."
The Yorkie came out wearing a red bow. I don't like the accessories. The dogs should be judged without any extras.
And with that the group has ended.
I'm going with the Pekingese...
I really hate myself for going with the Peke (and for using the word "Peke" just now), but that dog had some serious star power.
Here are your finalists...the Affenpinscher, English toy spaniel, Maltese, the Brussels Griffon, the min pin, and now the Pekingese, and the silky terrier sneaks in there...
Who will it be?
The Pekingese takes the group! The Affenpinscher was second and the min pin was third.
The Pekingese lived up to his billing.
And the Non-Sporting Group is up next...
Unlike the Super Bowl, the Westminster Dog Show doesn't have the best commercials. So let's replay one from Super Bowl XLVI. VW returns to its Star Wars theme. Give in to "The Bark Side."
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@tracymohr tweets: "How many of these dolled-up dogs in the toy group go back to the hotel and poop in their owner's shoes?"
I think only the sore losers do that.
Look for one of the new breeds for 2012 in this category—the Norwegian Lundehund. What makes this dog so special? It has six toes. But in a good way. Like Ernest Hemingway's cats. (If I may reference that "other species" for a moment...)
Also coming up...Martha Stewart's Chow Chow.
Inook comes out first—his fourth year in a row winning this breed. Beautiful white coat. Gotta like his chances.
This little cotton ball is the kind that Kathie Lee Gifford made famous back in the day. She had two—Chablis and Chardonnay.
I'm sorry, dog fans. Sometimes I have trouble telling this breed apart from a pug.
A New York City dog, bulldogs have made me sad ever since I read that New York Times Magazine story about how the inbreeding is destroying them. Gotta love those faces though.
And here is Martha Stewart's dog—Genghis Khan. Can he conquer this category? I like his chances. Certainly looks like a finalist.
I just spotted Ian, the Dalmatian. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) He's got some spunk. Crowd loved him. Because everyone loves a firehouse dog.
The national dog of Finland, this dog sounds like what a teutonic dentist might say, "Finish spitz?"
Oh wait...it's French Bulldog I can't tell apart from the pug. Sorry to disparage the Boston Terrier. Big freaky eyes.
My parents bought a lhasa apso when I was a little boy. He bit me. On the face. I'm always going to dislike this breed. Sue me.
And here comes our six-toed friend...who likes to hunt puffins. This dog is making a great debut. I like his chances for the finals in this group.
The granddaughter of the 2002 Westminster winner, Sugar Baby, a miniature poodle, has that classic powder puff cut on her ankles and tail.
And the standard looks just like her—only bigger. I prefer the smaller one.
The oldest dog in the competition, this 10-year-old dog has been the number-one Skip for the past two years. I like his spirit.
This Japanese hunting dog looks like a fox. And Draco really does look like a cat wearing a dog costume.
It's hard to believe that this breed was used as a guard dog. But this little guy—Jackson, named after country singer Alan Jackson—is one of those little dogs that thinks he's big.
With a long, flowing grey coat that looks like it's been seriously conditioned, this crowd is working the crowd.
And here's Giorgio Armani, the xolo (or "show low"), a new breed in 2012. I like this Mexican hairless' chances to make it to the finals in this group.
And that's the end of the Non-Sporting Group.
Will Martha Stewart's dog take the cake?
The Xolo is in the finals, the Bichon, the Sharpei, the Dalmatian, the Lowchen, and the Miniature Poodle are your finalists....
So Martha's dog is shut out.
And the Dalmatian takes the group! The Sharpei is second...and the Lowchen is third.
And that will take us to the final group of the night—the Herding Group...
Ian the Dalmatian looks regal after his victory...but a Dalmatian has never won Westminster. Is that a blessing or a curse?
Gawker's Maureen O'Connor tweets: "Like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, Genghis Khan's fame outpaced his talent. Sorry, @MarthaStewart."
Release the Herding Group!
It would really crack me up if they started running all over the place and couldn't be controlled.
And Brick is up first—a California dog that's been important from Detroit. He's got a great face and a crazy bushy tail.
Boy, Esther looks so smart. All of these herding dogs do. You can just feel their intelligence when they stare so intensely.
Hudson is a crowd pleaser, with his long flowing coat and smiling bearded face.
Man, this dog looks like he will kick your ass.
Reminiscent of a German shepherd, this is another dog you don't want to meet in a dark alley. Or a well-lit one.
Good dog! I like Hondo, who looks like a black collie. Great smile. Especially for a police dog.
Another Belgian breed, this dog has a real spring in his gait.
Get ready for some Action! What an expression on this dog. Again, you can just feel the intelligence from this dog.
Always a crowd favorite, this shaggy dog really knows how to work the audience at MSG.
Say-So comes out on fire! And puts it out with some drool. Gotta love him.
The Israeli dog is up next—with a very un-Israeli name: Magnum. He looks like a desert badass.
A very spirited little fellow from Washington state. He gives the crowd a bark—and the crowd answers him back.
The Rough Collie is up and he looks as if Lassie fell in a vat of white paint.
Arrow, the Smooth Collie looks like Lassie got a buzz cut. And he doesn't look happy about it.
This breed is making his debut at Westminster this year—and Coda is making the most of his appearance.
He's named after Bruce Springsteen, but I don't think this dog will be the Boss of this Group.
I've never been a fan of German shepherds, but this one happens to be beautiful. And the audience loves him.
I like this dog's spirit. Plus, he works on farm during the week and goes to dog shows on the weekends. Busy life.
Very spirited...but not very memorable.
It's Shooter! And the crowd loves him. Perhaps because he's got some serious junk in his trunk.
The breed long favored by Queen Elizabeth, she really nows how to work the crowd.
Henry has a fantastic face and his bushy mustache and beard is clearly getting the crowd going.
It's the Rasta-dog! And he has the appropriate name for one, Ziggy. (As in Marley.) The MSG fans love him.
This breed looks like a collie that's been shrunk. But he's spirited.
Gus, the final dog in this Group really worked the tongue in his run around the ring. I think that's pandering to the crowd.
And with that..the group is over. Which breed will take the final group of the night?
The Bouvier, the Rough Collie, the German Shepherd, the Puli and and the English sheepdog are among the finalists.
Will the German shepherd win it (yet) again?
And the German Shepherd wins it! The crowd always falls for those German Shepherds. But in fairness, Captain Crunch was a very spirited dog.
So at the end of the first night, here are your finalists for Best in Show tomorrow night:
Hound: Wire-haired dachshund
Toy: Pekingese
Non-Sporting: Dalmatian
Herding: German Shepherd
Not a lot of surprises tonight. Some familiar breeds won, including that perennial favorite the German Shepherd, and the Pekingese which the sports book at Wynn Las Vegas likes.
Tomorrow night, we'll have the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups, and of course Best in Show.
Who wil take home the title at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?
Email or tweet your predictions...and thank you for joining us.