2006 Westminster Dog Show Entries!

California (277 entries), New York (249) lead the way; Samoyeds and Cavaliers high breed entries with 42

It's called "America's Dog Show" and the entry for the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show shows exactly why.

Westminster's total entry of 2,622 for its 130th annual event February 13-14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City comes from 48 different states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rico. Leading the way with the most entries are California (277) and New York (249).

Sustaining the far-reaching importance of Westminster in the dog show world is the fact that the top eight states in terms of entries include Florida (127), Texas (106) and Washington (96). Other states in the top eight include Pennsylvania (198), New Jersey (191), and Connecticut (117). The entries include 9 dogs from Hawaii and 3 from Alaska.

As in recent years, the entry limit of 2,500 dogs was reached quickly after entries opened on December 9. The final total entry of 2,622 includes dogs that had been invited to pre-enter for being ranked in the top five of their respective breeds or varieties, and 122 dogs entered in Junior Showmanship.

Samoyeds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have the highest entries of 42 each. Other large entries include Golden Retrievers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks with 39 each, Australian Shepherds with 35 and French Bulldogs with 30. Dachshunds have 75 entries in three Varieties, and Poodles, also with three Varieties, have 47.

All 165 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club will be represented at the show, to be held at Madison Square Garden. There are no new breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club for competition in 2006. There are also 122 entries in Junior Showmanship, where young handlers age 9-18 compete based only on their handling abilities.

Mr. James G. Reynolds of Ottawa, Canada, will judge Best In Show, heading a judging panel of 36 judges from 17 states, Canada and England.

Breeds and Varieties in the Working, Terriers, Toy, and Non Sporting Groups will be benched and judged during the day on Monday, with Group competition that evening. On Tuesday, breeds and varieties in the Sporting, Hound and Herding Groups will be benched and judged, with judging of those Groups and Best In Show to be held Tuesday evening.

The Group and Best In Show competition will be televised live each evening at 8 PM (ET) on USA Network.

Entries by state: California 277, New York 249, Pennsylvania 198, New Jersey 191, Florida 127, Connecticut 117, Texas 106, Washington 96, Massachusetts 93, Maryland 92, Virginia 90, Ohio 84, Michigan 72, Georgia 69, Illinois 63, North Carolina 56, Missouri 45, Colorado 40, Wisconsin 40, Tennessee 37, Indiana 33, New Hampshire 32, Oregon 32, South Carolina 25, Arizona 24, Kentucky 23, Minnesota 23, Delaware 19, Oklahoma 19, Maine 18, Iowa 16, Rhode Island 16, New Mexico 14, Louisiana 13, Nebraska 13, Nevada 13, Alabama 11, Vermont 10, Hawaii 9, Arkansas 7, Mississippi 6, Utah 5, West Virginia 5, Kansas 5, District of Columbia 4, Alaska 3, Idaho 1, Montana 1, South Dakota 1. Others: Canada 46, Puerto Rico 1.

For more information, go to: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/