Westminster Dog Show Preview

Hickory.  2011 WKC Best in Show

Football season is behind us.  It's about a month until spring training gets underway.  March Madness isn't until ... well ... March.  And even the Daytona 500 is a couple weeks away.  But, never fear.  Man's best friend will help fill the sports void.  The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place on February 13 and 14 at the World's Most Famous Arena.  Okay, I admit that pampered pooches strutting their stuff in front of tuxedo-clad judges might not really qualify as a sport.  But, it is still good fun to watch.  And in mid-February, we need to be thankful for any event that hands out a trophy.

Banshee Blog was in hibernation last year, so some of you might have missed the enormous bitch that won best in show for 2011.  It was a Scottish Deerhound named Hickory.  This is not the sort of dog I'd want to meet in a dark alley.  Or a well-lit alley, for that matter.  But apparently Hickory had perfect teeth and bone structure since she was able to beat out her far cuter competitors.  It does not appear that Hickory will be returning to Madison Square Garden in 2012 to defend her title.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

There are six new breeds competing at Westminster this year.  The Banshee's favorite new entry is the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.  This beauty will be competing in the Herding Group.  Another new breed is the Xoloitzcuintli.  This dog is the national dog of Mexico and will be competing in the Non-Sporting Group.  The only thing more hideous that the spelling of its name is the way the breed looks.  Yikes!

Xoloitzcuintli

The competition will take place on Monday and Tuesday, the 13th and 14th of February.  The event will be televised live for three hours each night.  The broadcast airs from 8:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. on Monday night on USA Network.  The broadcast will then switch to CNBC from 9:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m.  The entire three hours will be shown on USA Network on Tuesday night.  Of course, Banshee Blog will also provide extensive commentary on the event.