Westminster dog show 2021: Where to watch and TV schedule
THE annual Westminster dog show will take place during the second week in June – but not at Madison Square Garden.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced many changes to the treasured canine event, which is taking place in Tarrytown, New York, in 2021.
How can I watch the Westminster dog show?
The 145th Westminster dog show will launch on Friday, June 11, and will conclude two days later.
In a change, the it will be held in a suburban riverfront estate in Tarrytown.
The event is normally held at the storied Madison Square Garden in New York City, but the pandemic forced the adjusment.
In addition, in-person spectators are not allowed.
“It’s a heartbreak because that’s definitely part of the prestige of going, and the nostalgia," says handler Renee Rosamilla of Ocala, Florida.
"But I’m just, honestly, thrilled that they were able to let us have Westminster this year.”
Fans will be able to watch the festivities on TV and on their computers:
- Friday, June 11: Preliminaries will stream live on westminsterkennelclub.org from 8 am to 4 pm.
- Saturday, June 12: Fox will have live television coverage from 5 pm to 7 pm.
- Sunday, June 13: Full coverage will be available on Fox, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 and the Fox Now and the Fox Sports apps. Check the Westminster website for more details.
What is the Westminster dog show schedule?
The show kicks off with an agility competition on June 11, followed by weekend events including the traditional breed judging that leads to the Best in Show title.
The Best in Show is the highest award given at dog shows.
The sought-after trophy will be awarded under a tent outside the Lyndhurst mansion in Tarrytown, not in the sports palace of MSG.
The show also is due to feature four breeds that are eligible to compete for the first time – the barbet, the dogo Argentino, the Belgian Laekenois, and the Biewer terrier.
The 2020 Westminster show concluded on February 11, 2020, when there were only 13 confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide.
Officials are planning to return the event to MSG in 2022, but changes were necessary for this year.
“We felt we owed it to the dog community and to the sports community to put this up,” said Westminster club President Charlton “Chat” Reynders III.
"We just wanted to be sure that we created a venue where the person that might be most nervous about Covid, or health, would feel safe."
Source: Read Full Article