Yang Ling, of Beijing, China, grooms her Chow Chow named Kun Lung. Photo / AP
Yang Ling, of Beijing, China, grooms her Chow Chow named Kun Lung. Photo / AP
Which dog will be Best in Show? Westminster Kennel Club 139th annual all-breed dog show has begun at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden. Read more and check out the cutest and craziest pictures from the event.
The Westminster Kennel Club (WKC)'s 139th annual all-breed dog show started today at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden, where more than 2700 pampered pooches will compete for the top accolade of Best in Show.
A staggering 192 breeds have entered the prestigious two-day competition, flocking from 48 states in the USand from 14 countries worldwide.
The WKC, founded in 1877, is the second longest-running sporting event in the country, after the Kentucky Derby.
Golden retrievers make up the largest breed group this year, with 58 of them competing, followed by 56 Labradors, 41 French Bulldogs and 38 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Matisse the three-year-old Portuguese Water Dog is the top-winning canine of his breed nationwide, and the cousin of President Obama's puppy Sunny. He has been given odds of four to one.
Swagger the three-year-old Old English Sheepdog finished second in last year's WKC show, and has been given odds of six to one.
A Afghan Hound in the benching area at Pier 92 and 94 in New York City on the first day of competition at the 139th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo / AFP
A dog gets groomed in the benching area on the first day of competition at the 139th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo / AFP
A Chinese Crested in the benching area at the 139th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Photo / AFP
And Charlie the three-year-old Skye Terrier has been given odds of eight to one, having won Best in Show at the American Kennel Club show in December.
Two new breeds will enter this year's contest after they were recently formally recognized by the American Kennel Club; Coton de Tulears, of which there are 14 entrants, and Wirehaired Vizslas, of which there are four.
See more pics from the show in our gallery:
Image 1 of 24: A Chinese Crested in the benching area. Photo / AFP
The Coton de Tulear - otherwise known as the 'royal dog of Madagascar' - is a small white fluffy breed which stands at around ten inches tall. Stars including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jane Fonda have owned this breed in the past.
The Wirehaired Vizla is a rare breed of Hungarian hunting dog, of which there are only 400 registered in the US.
WKC's Best in Show will be determined by a panel of 33 judges and the winner revealed tomorrow, local time.
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