MIDTOWN — Step aside, Jeremy Lin. Madison Square Garden is going to the dogs this week.
The Westminster Kennel Club’s 136th annual dog show kicked off Monday, pitting some 2,000 dogs against each other for the title of “Best in Show.” The judging will take place on both Monday and Tuesday, with the ultimate award to be determined on Tuesday evening.
The breeds began going nose-to-nose Monday morning, and by the end of the day, winners were expected to be announced in the hound, toy, non-sporting and herding breeds.
On Tuesday, judges will inspect pooches from the sporting, working and terrier breeds before announcing the “Best in Show” winner that night.
“He goes to the Garden tomorrow morning,” said Nicole Esio, an assistant to the handler in charge of Dylan, a 3-year-old golden retriever.
Dylan was taking a quick bathroom break on the turf-covered terrace of a suite at the Affinia Manhattan hotel, just a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden.
The 12th-floor hotel room was converted into a canine hospitality suite by The Spot Experience, a dog day care chain with locations around Manhattan, and filled with dog beds, a few pooch pampering products and all the free treats man’s best friend could eat.
Before the competition, Esio said that Dylan’s hair would be doused with mousse and blown dry to maximize fluff.
“The Goldens, they’re known for being loving, family companions,” Esio said, as Dylan jumped up and wrapped his paws around her body. “These dogs love to show.”
Rick Plaut, the handler of a 2-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever named Coupe, said that their pre-show ritual consists mainly of exercise.
“We go for long walks,” Plaut explained. “Keep active, so he’s not sedentary in the room.”
In addition to being the youngest No. 1 Chesapeake Bay retriever in the country, Coupe is also a service dog, Plaut said. When the dog isn’t competing, he’s caring for his owner, who recently underwent liver transplant surgery.
“I only get him on the weekend,” Plaut said with a smile.
Party Boy, a 4-year-old West Highland terrier, was supposed to compete at Westminster back in 2010, but when he got to New York, he became violently ill and lost all his hair, recalled his handler, Selso Mollo, 42.
The dog has since recovered, and his fur has completely filled in. To prepare for his next shot at the title "best in show," Mollo said Party Boy has been groomed consistently for the past six weeks, and his coat has been sculpted just so.
"[Westminster] is the most prestigious show in the world," Mollo explained.
For Cruz’er, an 86-pound Alaskan malamute, the visit to New York City marked a bit of a respite from his everyday, working life.
“He’s a sled dog,” explained his owner, Gaylene Robertson, from Manitoba, Canada.
Robertson and Cruz’er stopped by the Hotel Pennsylvania, across the street from Madison Square Garden, on Monday afternoon in advance of their showing on Tuesday.
In honor of the dog show, the hotel’s basement was lined with treadmills and pet-friendly vendors, including a dog psychic, a pet spa and custom pooch portraits.
Heff, a 2-year-old German Pinscher, was logging a mile-long run on the treadmills on Monday afternoon before his show on Tuesday.
“He’s going to be in good shape,” said owner Sharon Unrau, of Columbus, Ohio, who held Heff's leash as he ran.
Unrau’s focus leading up to the show has been on exercise and diet, mixing raw food with the high-end victuals he usually eats. Heff will also get his nails and teeth cleaned and will receive a full bath in the Hotel Pennsylvania pet spa.
“I want it to really be about just enjoying myself with the dog,” Unrau said.
Along with the more well-known breeds, the 2012 competition will also feature six dog breeds that are new to the competition. The Mexican hairless, formally known as the Xoloitzcuintli, will make its debut appearance at Westminster, as will the Entlebuncher Mountain Dog, the Norwegian Lundehund, the Finnish Lapphund, the Cesky Terrior and the American English Coonhound, according to the Westminster website.
For those without tickets to the show, which is currently sold out, the competition will be televised. On Monday, it will appear on USA from 8 to 9 p.m. and on CNBC from 9 to 11 p.m. Tuesday’s rounds will air on USA from 8 to 11 p.m.
