Best in Show 2015

There was no question of who let the dogs out as hundreds of breeds lined up to strut their stuff in the 139th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The rounds took place in New York City from February, 16- 17, 2015 at both Chelsea Piers and Madison Square Garden. After what I could only imagine was a long and exhausting two days for both the dogs and their handlers, seven finalists remained: Miss P the Beagle, Charlie the Skye Terrier, Rocket the Shih Tzu, Flame the Standard Poodle, Liz the English Springer Spaniel, Swagger the Old English Sheepdog, and Matisse the Portuguese Water Dog, who all dogged it out for the coveted Best in Show title.

Swagger, a Crowd Favorite 

On Tuesday night each dog showed off their stuff, strutted around the arena, and wagged their tails, hoping to make one last impression on the judge. As the dogs took the stage one last time, it was clear there was a crowd favorite, Swagger the Old English Sheepdog. As his name would suggest, Swagger emitted a definite “swagger” and confidence as he pranced around the floor, his glistening coat bouncing from side to side.

Flame Shows off Her Legs for the Judge

As the show progressed, I could hear many conversations going on around me among the dog loving crowd. People were commenting on their favorite aspects of each dog and who they thought was going to take home best in show. Although the crowd definitely had its favorites, to me each dog was cuter than the next and they all looked like winners. Alas, it was time for the winner to be announced. In judging dogs, the judge has to be able to evaluate the dogs based on a specific set of criteria and must be very familiar with the standards and qualities of each particular dog breed.

Charlie the Skye Terrier is All Smiles

While I am an avid dog lover, I will admit I didn't know much about the dog show criteria, and became extremely curious as to how one pup was deemed more perfect than the next, so I turned to Google. For those not familiar with dog judging, each breed has a standard, a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed. Usually those standards relate to appearance, movement, temperament, and specific physical traits. So basically the judging comes down to two things, the written “dog law” and a little bit of judge’s bias.

Miss P is Still in Shock Over Her Win 

It was time for the winner to be announced, and it was definitely hard for the judge not to be persuaded by the crowds favorites. In the end, Miss P, a 15-inch beagle hailing from Canada, took home Best in Show. Beagles are not your usual Best in Show winners, and Miss P is just the second Beagle to win the show (Uno won in 2008). Miss P, whose full name is Ch Tashtins Lookin For Trouble, was crowned due to a combination of irresistible cuteness and his near perfect characteristics of a Beagle specimen.


All Photos:Dee McMeekan/For Sports Illustrated

Nike x Foot Locker House of Hoops Pop-Up

The old Borders space (RIP bookstores) outside Madison Square Garden at 2 Penn Plaza is now home to a Nike/Foot Locker House of Hoops pop-up.

33rd Street at Seventh Avenue, open 10am-11pm daily till February 22

This shoe mecca pop-up is here for the NBA All-Stars game, and will remain open till February 22nd. This 5,100 square foot location fits a lot of kicks, and will host shoes releases, a customization center, and visits from Nike basketball athletes.

All photos below from HYPEBEAST

House of Hoops Pop-Up
2 Penn Plaza at 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue
Open 10am-11pm daily

Stump the Pros

Stump, from The Daily News, working it at the Westminster Kennel Club Show.

Can the Westminster Dog Show winner be a 34th Street fashion post? Why not:

The Show is Held in Madison Square Garden: MSG is in the 34th Street District. 34th Street, check. Next year I'm so applying for a press pass.

Stump is Not Exactly Trim: I wasn't there, but from the photos he looks big boned. Or really furry. Either way, I can relate. We all go through fat days, weight gain fluctuation, etc. But Stump proves not only the skinny guy (ahem, standard poodle) can carry the day.

Stump is No Spring Chicken: He's ten years old, which makes him the oldest winner of the Westminster Dog Show. So life doesn't end at 10, it just gets better looking (that's 10 dog years, so let's pretend it's 40 in girl years). And with age comes experience: Stump's trainer said he hardly prepared the Sussex spaniel for the show.

It's All in Your Walk, or "Screw the Experts, Wow the Crowd:" The pros were gunning for the giant schnauzer, but the audience loved Stump. The New York Times said "...the crowd clearly preferred the jaunty spaniel. Stump was greeted with deafening applause every time he plodded around the ring." Plodded! I love that. Learn from Stump, because obviously how you carry yourself can work magic.

The Comeback Kid: Stump was stricken with a serious illness in'05, but healed eventually with the help of the experts at Texas A&M. It's been 5 years since he last competed. What a story.

I'd kiss him all day.
Ok, not really about fashion, but think of Stump when you're feeling like a troll while surrounded by well-dressed beauties. Plod onward with style! And for more Stump, go here for the Westminster Best in Show video. It's a long one, so forward right to 9 minutes and listen to the crowd roar and watch Stump do his thing.



All photos from The New York Times except where noted.

Madison Square Garden, 7th Avenue between 31st & 33rd