Westminster Dog Show 2026: everything you need to know

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show returns to New York City from January 31 to February 3. This year, over 3,000 champion dogs representing all 50 states and 17 countries will come together to compete for the Best in Show title. Whether you’re watching for the Golden Retrievers and Frenchies (this year’s largest entries) or waiting for the debut of the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, our guide is your all-access pass to the viewing options, the schedule, the groups and what makes this event so special for dog lovers everywhere.

Where to watch the Westminster Dog Show 

You can catch  the evening group competitions and Best in Show live on Fox Sports, while the Westminster Kennel Club website streams daytime breed judging for free. There will be additional coverage on FS1 and FS2, and streaming services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV carry the Fox Sports channels. 

Westminster Dog Show categories and groups

The competition divides more than 200 breeds into 7 distinct groups based on each dogs’ original function and characteristics. 

• The Sporting Group features Retrievers, Spaniels, Pointers and Setters bred for hunting 
• The Hound Group includes sight and scent hounds like Beagles and Greyhounds 
• Working dogs such as Boxers and Great Danes showcase their strength and endurance 
• The Terrier Group brings together feisty breeds like Miniature Schnauzers and Scottish Terriers originally developed to hunt vermin
• Toy breeds including Havanese and Pomeranians charm with their compact size and companionship qualities 
• The Non-Sporting dogs are a diverse group of breeds ranging from Bulldogs to Poodles 
• The Herding Group demonstrates the intelligence of breeds like Border Collies and German Shepherds

These diverse classifications ensure that each breed is judged against its specific historical standard, culminating in the prestigious selection of Best in Show.

How the competition works 

First, each dog competes against others of the same breed for Best of Breed honors. The winners advance to their respective group competitions (Sporting, Hound, Terrier, etc.), where judges select the First in Group. The seven group winners then compete for the coveted Best in Show title on the final evening. Judges evaluate each dog against its breed standard — the ideal characteristics for that particular breed — rather than comparing dogs directly to each other. 

Who won the Westminster Dog Show 2025? 

History was made last year at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show when Monty, a 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer, was crowned Best in Show. Monty became the first of his breed to ever claim the top prize. The victory was particularly impressive as Monty had won the Working Group for three consecutive years before finally securing the ultimate title.

Dogs to watch for at this year’s competition

While predicting winners remains nearly impossible, certain breeds have historically performed well at Westminster. Wire Fox Terriers hold the record with 15 Best in Show wins. Recent years have seen more diversity, with breeds like the Pekingese, Bloodhound and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen taking home top honors. Keep an eye on the Terrier and Sporting Groups, which traditionally produce strong contenders. 

The Westminster Dog Show represents more than just a competition — it's a celebration of the incredible bond between humans and dogs. Whether you're cheering for a specific breed or simply enjoying the pageantry, this historic event reminds us why dogs truly deserve their title as our best friends.