The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York

If you love dogs, and are going to be in New York City on Monday, February 12, 2007 from 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM and/or Tuesday, February 13, 2007 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM try to come to Madison Square Garden for the premier dog show in the country, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. You will be helping a great charity also, Angels on a Leash which is a therapy dog program that brings dogs to children in Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. Research shows that visits from the dogs actually improve the patients outlook to the point where they heal faster.

There are related events going on before the final two days of judging. If you are interested in a particular breed, check out the web site for the day of that breeds individual judging. There are 165 different breeds, so it takes quite a few days judging to get to the group that makes it to the two final days.

If you can make it to any of these related events, you will not only have a great time, but you will also be helping them with their many charities.

Friday, February 9, 2007:

6th Annual ShowSight Magazine "Have-A-Heart" Ball
to benefit Take The Lead and Search and Rescue Dogs
Essex House, New York $75 per person
Tickets and information: (863) 858-3839

22nd Annual Theatre benefit for AKC Museum of the Dog
"The Drowsy Chaperone"
For information call (314) 821-3647
Canine Chronicle-Royal Canin Beverages Party
New Yorker Hotel 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Tickets available at the door $20
All proceeds go to a dog-related charity

Monday, February 12, 2007:

Take The Lead Party
Club Bar & Grill, Madison Square Garden, New York
11 p.m. (following Group Judging)
Late night celebration, light supper, champagne and wine.
Tickets $125 per person, must be purchased in advance by calling 800-814-1123 or logging on to www.takethelead.org

Wednesday, February 14, 2007:

Dog Fanciers Club
10:30 a.m. reception followed by luncheon and program
Sardi's Restaurant
Members $55, Non-Members $60
For program information and reservations call (516) 295-4940

There is more to do here than watch The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show competition. You can meet with the breeders and owners, find out about their animals and even purchase a dog. There is a great advantage to buying from a breeder as opposed to from a pet shop. A breeder is very careful about what blood lines he breeds his dogs with. The animals in pet stores more often than not come from puppy mills, where they do not care which dog breeds with which, thereby increasing the chance that the dog you buy will have serious medical problems down the line. It will cost you more to buy from a top breeder, but in the long run it will save you heart ache and probably some very expensive vet bills.