The Divas of the Westminster Dog Show Know How to Serve
At the Westminster Dog Show, dogs are royalty. Humans are but their loyal, sometimes frantic, attendants.
Held annually in New York City, the competition is the most prestigious of its kind and one of the longest continuously running sporting events in US history. It’s older than the Super Bowl, the US Open (both tennis and golf), and the World Series. Not even world-altering events like the Great Depression, a world war, or a pandemic have stopped the Westminster Kennel Club from declaring best in show.
This month Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize. “He always tries so hard, and we’re just proud of him,” his handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin told the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
The floor of the arena was a swirl of activity. Handlers dressed in everything from sequined blazers to sensible sneakers hastily moved about, each with a dog that looked as if it had just stepped out of the best salon. There were towering Great Danes, tiny, trembling Chihuahuas, and every shape of fluff in between. The people here came from all over too—a blend of small-town breeders, lifelong show pros, and juniors stepping into the ring for the first time, carrying on a family tradition.
Behind the scenes at the Westminster Dog Show, there was a mix of nerves and excitement, last-minute brushing, pep talks, and pockets full of treats. It was the best kind of chaos: poodles getting last-minute hairspray touch-ups, basset hounds sprawled out as though they own the place, and a handler pushing a stroller with a perfectly groomed shih tzu inside, completely unbothered by the commotion.
But in the ring? In the ring it was all serious focus. Glamour spoke to several women who invited us inside their world.
Elizabeth Edgerton and Remedy the briard
How would you describe Remedy? She's a very happy girl. She might not seem like it right now; she's in serious mode. But at home she loves to play around in the mud. She likes to get as dirty as possible. She loves playing with other dogs. She loves to hang out with the kids. She’s a great dog.
How’d you get into this? So I’m a third generation greyhound breeder. My grandmother started with Afghan hounds, actually.
How long does it take to groom Remedy? She takes me a long time. Full bath, full dry, full trimming—it’s about six hours.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this world? It’s about the dogs. People want to say we’re not nice to them, but they’re spoiled rotten dogs. They have a really good life. I want to be a show dog.
Austyn Dinda and Tika the dalmatian
Describe Tika in three words. Cuddly, sweet, and emotional.
How’d you get into this? I started showing because I became friends with a girl who did dog shows. She’s really successful and kind of taught me how to do everything, and I just kept doing it. I’ve been showing dogs for five years now, dalmatians. I work for a professional handler who has a bunch of breeds, but that’s my favorite breed.
What’s your most comfortable show shoe? My most comfortable show shoe, if I’m being honest…none of them are comfortable. My feet always hurt every day. My feet hurt right now. Some people wear sneakers, but most of the professionals don’t.
How do you choose your outfit for the shows? I wear mostly St. John’s, and I pick an outfit based off of what color dog I’m showing or just what I’m feeling for that day.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this world? I wish people knew that the dogs do have fun and they enjoy it, because most people think that they’re unhappy. The dogs love this, and they think it’s their job.
Kathy Lazenby and Palmer the Scottish deerhound
How would you describe Palmer? He’s a big cat in a dog suit…unless you’re a squirrel.
How did you get started in this? I was in greyhound adoption and met a Scottish deerhound and fell in love. These are basically a large-boned greyhound with a rough coat, so I decided that eventually I would get one. Now I’ve had five. I have Palmer’s mom and dad at home.
What’s your style inspiration for shows? Well, I’m kind of a tomboy, and they said if I was going to be taken serious in the ring, I would have to wear a skirt. So I said, “I’ll fix ’em.” And now I have about six kilts and we dress up a lot all the time. This is a Scotland commemorative 2000 plaid tartan.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this world? Just that the dogs are happy. If they’re not happy, they’re not going to show or perform. They’re going to look sad. These guys are happy and having a good time. They love all the attention.
Courtney Penner and Jerry the pug
Describe Jerry in three words. Wild, comical, and handsome.
How’d you get into this? When I was three years old, I started showing. My mom bred pugs, actually. I started working for a professional handler, started traveling everywhere, and then eventually, as I got older, went out handling other people’s dogs on my own.
How do you choose your outfit for a show? I like to do it on the day of, so I always bring a few extras to see how I’m feeling. With Jerry, I try to either wear black or something colorful.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about this world? That it’s not just time in the ring. We see these guys at home and on the couch and everywhere else, and they’re pretty special.
Sarah Krickeberg and Landry the Shetland sheepdog
Describe Landry in three words. “Best day ever.” That’s his motto. He never has a bad day. You always are smiling when you’re around him.
How’d you get into this? I’m 46, and my grandmother did it, so I’m third generation. I started showing when I was a little girl.
How do you choose your outfit for a show? I found this about a year ago, and I wanted to wait for it when Westminster came back to New York City.
What do you wish more people knew about this world? That it’s not just about pageantry. It’s about competition. It’s about camaraderie and athleticism.
Ellen Danforth and Trixie the Chinese crested
Describe Trixie in three words. Sassy, playful, and a little bougie. She’s named after Trixie Mattel.
How’d you get into this? I have been showing dogs for over 20 years. I started with Australian shepherds. I was in 4-H, starting from nine, and I showed a variety of animals. As I got into my high school years, I wanted to show an animal that I could keep at the end of the show year. My mom was always really into dog shows. We would go when I was little, just as spectators. It was kind of one of those no-brainer things where she’s like, “Well, what about showing dogs?” She let me choose the breed, and cresteds were not the breed I chose. I started with Aussies and did that up until maybe just a couple years ago. I decided that we wanted a smaller breed to travel with, and it ended up working out that these guys are so great with Aussies. They just melded so nicely, and it was really fun.
What’s something you wish more people knew about this world? That it is a community sport. I wish there was a little less politics, but it is fun and a great thing to do with your friends and family. I got into it because of my mom. I continue to do it with my mom, and I have an eight-year-old daughter who is starting to do it.
Ginny Kinler and Harlan the basset hound
What are your favorite things about Harlan? I mean, look at him. He just oozes favorite things. The face, the feet, the ears. Harlan loves to snuggle on the bed. He does get a little spunky sometimes and loves to chase the other golden retrievers we have around the yard, but he’s pretty much a quiet guy. He’s laid-back. He loves life, loves people, and he loves to be the center of attention. I know it doesn’t look like he’s excited, but he really is.
How long have you been doing this? My whole life. I’m third generation. My grandparents started with basset hounds in the ’50s, and from there my parents have bred multiple different breeds. My husband and I have as well. We now show dogs for other people, so we help mentor them and get their goals met, whether it’s for a championship or just show.
What’s something you wish more people knew about the dog world? That it’s a lot of time. It’s a lot of effort that goes into this.
Kellie Williams, judge
What are you judging today? I am here to judge Junior Showmanship, which is for kids that qualify between the ages of 9 and 18.
How long have you been judging dog shows? I have been judging dog shows since I turned 18, so a long time now. I actually get to do both [judging and showing]. When you judge Junior Showmanship, you are able to also compete because it’s a non-regular class. So I am actually a professional handler. I show dogs for clients, and I also get to judge juniors from time to time.
What’s something you wish more people knew about this world? Dog showing is very fun. It’s definitely a different world here, but it’s a great family sport and community-based. Everybody knows everybody, and it’s a good time.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
