Why do beloved dog breeds never win Westminster? Hint: It's not your favorite Labrador or Chihuahua—it's the judges.

This Could Be Why Beloved Dog Breeds Never Win Westminster

Since 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club has hosted an annual dog show, awarding the top dog with the coveted Best in Show title. Every year, esteemed judges gather to determine which dog will win this honor. While the exact name of the winning dog may be different every year, some things don’t change. Take, for instance, the reason why beloved dog breeds never win Westminster.
There may be a number of reasons dogs get disqualified at Westminster, including having a coat of many colors and undergoing surgical enhancement. But why do some of the most-loved breeds—like the golden retriever and French bulldog—always get the short end of the stick?
To find out, we turned to professional dog breeder and trainer Cindy Kelly, the owner of Regis Regal German Shepherds in Spring Grove, Illinois. With her help, we’re laying out some theories that may offer insight into the trend. Keep reading for the details!
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Why do beloved dog breeds never win Westminster?
Popular dog breeds such as the Chihuahua, Great Dane, French bulldog, shih tzu, rottweiler, miniature schnauzer, Labrador retriever, dachshund and good ol’ golden retriever are some beloved dog breeds that have never won Westminster’s coveted Best in Show ribbon
The golden retriever’s omission from the winner’s circle is especially glaring. After all, when you think about the all-American dog, an image of a smiling golden retriever is likely the first thing that pops into your head. This breed fits the ideal suburban family model (complete with a white picket fence), but surprisingly, it has never taken Best in Show at Westminster.
Which dog breeds frequently win Westminster?
While some truly beloved dog breeds may have never won Westminster, there are a handful of others that always seem to win the crown. Terriers nabbed five out of the top 10 spots for breeds with the most wins, and the wire fox terrier, in particular, has won a whopping 15 times in the history of the show.
Beyond that, the Scottish terrier has the second most wins (eight of ’em), with breeds including the English springer spaniel, poodle, Pekingese and Sealyham terrier following close behind.
What does a dog-show judge want to see?
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show winners may often have funny names, but there has been a clear trend among the dog breeds that top the charts. So what, exactly, do judges look for, and how does that affect their choice of winner? Ahead, Kelly clears things up for us.
The flashier, the better
“I’ve been a breeder and educator of dogs for over 30 years,” says Kelly. “I truly believe the reason that many dog breeds have not been able to capture the elusive title of Westminster has everything to do with how flashy the dog is.”
Think about it in human terms, and it makes sense: Fashion models do not tend to fit the traditional mold. A gap between front teeth, for instance, challenges traditional beauty norms; it’s considered beautiful because it’s striking and unusual. In other words: It’s flashy.
Similarly, Kelly says of the Westminster Dog Show, “some of the most popular breeds have never earned the title simply because another breed of dog in its class has a fancier appearance or a larger presence.”
No points for popularity
“Some breeds,” Kelly explains, “are naturally flashy and may catch the eye of the judges more so than your standard Labrador.” The prevalence of a breed may play into its perceived “flashiness.”
Labradors are extremely common—an American standard, if you will. In fact, Labradors were the most popular breed in America for 31 years in a row before they were dethroned by French bulldogs. So if judges at Westminster aren’t looking for standard, then they’re not interested in Labs. This may be why some of our most beloved dog breeds never win Westminster.
“A judge will likely have a mental image in their head of what their ideal breed looks like,” Kelly explains, “how it walks, behaves and so on. And when they do see a dog that fits that criteria—or on the rare occasion, one that exceeds it—that is what makes the dog really stand out to them.”
What it ultimately comes down to, Kelly and others argue, is popularity. “A Labrador could be a worthy winner of a show like Westminster,” Kelly says, “but I don’t think it will happen. It might be too popular as a breed and may be overlooked [because] breeds within the group have more of a wow factor.”
So the reason—or, at least, a solid theory—why beloved dog breeds never win Westminster is because of the very fact that they are so popular. Dog-show judges are looking for something more in vogue.
Breed standard basics
Another reason the popularity of a breed could be an issue is because of what is known as the breed standard. “To understand a little more about what the judges are looking for,” Kelly says, “it’s important to be aware they’re not comparing dogs in the show against one another—they’re comparing that dog against what’s called the breed standard.”
What this means is that every beagle that enters the competition is held up to desired beagle characteristics that the community of judges has generally agreed upon.
“[The Labrador] can be a tricky dog to pick out as a winner, largely due to its own popularity,” Kelly further explains, “as the breed has evolved over time, [and] different regions have unknowingly created very slight variations of the breed.” So deciding on a breed standard for a hugely popular dog breed can be difficult, while less-common breeds are easier for judges to decipher.
Do the judges just dislike popular dogs?
It’s less about disliking an entire breed of dog than having certain preferences and areas of expertise. Remember, people aren’t perfect. There are hundreds of dog breeds, and while judges at Westminster and other dog shows are professionals, they may be more knowledgeable about some dogs than others. “Sometimes a judge may not have a super great knowledge of a particular breed,” Kelly admits, “so it can be down to the luck of the draw as to which judges are there at the show on the day.”
Really, when we think of why some beloved dog breeds never win Westminster, it all comes down to personal opinion. After all, the question “Which dog is your favorite?” is pretty subjective, so it’s impossible to take the judge out of the judging.
“Although every breed has a defined breed standard,” Kelly says, “ultimately titles are awarded and denied solely on the judge’s preference and choice.” And of course, the winners are bestowed with titles, trophies and other takeaways—including a hefty purse.
So will these beloved dogs ever win the title?
Apologies for delivering the bad news, but the types of dogs that do and do not win Westminster titles are not likely to change any time soon. As long as breeds such as the Labrador retriever, golden retriever and Chihuahua remain popular, it is unlikely they’ll be deemed chic enough to catch judges’ eyes.
“Sadly,” Kelly says, “I don’t think it’s likely that a very popular dog breed will win a title, although I’d love to be proven wrong.”
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Sources:
- Cindy Kelly, owner of Regis Regal German Shepherds in Spring Grove, Illinois
- Westminster Kennel Club
- American Kennel Club: “These Popular Dog Breeds Have Never Won Best In Show At Westminster”
- American Kennel Club: “King the Wire Fox Terrier Gets the Royal Treatment at Westminster”
- Fox Sports: “Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: Best in Show winners, breeds by year”
- NPR: “The Westminster Dog Show Is This Weekend. Meet The Newcomers And Revisit Past Winners”
- The New York Times: “Your Favorite Dog Breed Did Not Win Westminster. Here’s Why.”