NEW YORK, New York – More than 160 breeds and varieties of dog (some 2,500 animals all told) will participate in the 129th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Monday and Tuesday, February 14 and 15, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Since its inception in 1877, well over 300,000 dogs have been judged at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The first show drew 1,177 entries and in the past 128 years the show has seen a low of 950 entries (1885) and a high of 3,629 entries (1937).

Of the 2,500 dogs on hand (or leash, as it were) this year, three breeds will be represented for the first time – the Black Russian Terrier (Working Group), the Neapolitan Mastiff (Working Group) and the Glen of Imaal Terrier (Terrier Group).

Take a look –

BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER: Purebred animals became almost extinct in the Soviet Union during World War I and II, with the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier, the Russian Spaniel, the Moscow Great Dane, Moscow Diver, Moscow Watch Dog and the Black Russian Terrier later arising to fill the void.

It took some time to develop the Black Russian Terrier because, reportedly, breeding material was initially inadequate. But once development began, the Black Russian Terrier quickly grew in popularity – so much so that the FCI approved the description of the group in 1968.

The animal was produced in the so-called Red Star Kennel by crossing such breeds as the Giant Schnauzer (the foundation breed), Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler, Newfoundland and Caucasian Ovcharka with a touch of Great Dane, Eastern-European Shepherd blood.

All told, 17 different breeds were used in the development.

Early generations of the animal did not have very long hair, but that was okay because people were seeking an easily trainable dog that did not need a lot of hair care. It was more important that the animal be aggressive and able to work.

In the late 1950s, however, the appearance of the animal began to improve as hobby breeders got involved … although the breed suffered from serious dental problems. There were some other less serious defects, as well.

The history of the breed development is sketchy at best, though, since documentation is scarce. This has given rise to lots of speculation and legends – such as the Black Terrier actually originated in Germany and not Russian.

Official breed status was granted to Black Terrier in 1981.

Within the Black Russian Terrier breed, there are two types. The first is the terrier type (dogs that are somewhat square with a long head and dry high-set neck and ones that are excitable, mobile and reckless) and the second is the mighty type (dogs with massive bones, bulky musculature, deep chest and ones that are stable and appear lazy).

During the last several years, the breed underwent even further changes but these were in conjunction with its show career – although those changes reportedly have not altered popular qualities in the breed itself.

NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF: There may not be another breed whose fundamental characteristics have remained as constant over the years as the Neapolitan Mastiff. Strong and muscular with a commanding presence, this is a breed that can weigh more than 150 pounds and perform a solid working function.

The Neapolitan Mastiff comes in a variety of colors – gray (blue), black, tawny and mahogany. The Blue is the most common and desired color because of the animal’s work as a guardian dog and its ability to blend into the night shadows.

The Mastiff is a working dog originally bred and utilized as a guardian and defender of owner and property. Although originally bred as a protection dog, it has a steady temperament and is loyal, but not outwardly aggressive or apt to bite without reason.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is not a fighting breed, but a quiet and humble one more content to spend its time by its owner’s side.

GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER: The history of this breed traces back to the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Like its three Irish cousins – the Kerry Blue Terrier, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Irish Terrier – the Glen of Imaal Terrier was initially bred to rid the home and farm of vermin, and hunt fox and badger.

But there was a more unique task for which this animal was chosen to perform – paddle the turnspit. The turnspit was a large wheel which, when paddled by the dog (with its bowed front legs and powerful hindquarters), would turn the spit over the hearth … the task modern rotisserie cookers perform today.

The Glen has been described as a big dog on short legs, standing as much as 121/2 to 14 inches at the withers (the point where the neck meets the back) and weighing about 35 pounds. Longer than tall, the animal sports a double coat – a harsher outer coat and a soft undercoat. Colors are wheaten (any shade), blue, and brindle, the most commonly seen being blue brindle, a mixture of dark slate-blue, lighter blue undercoat, and hints of tan.

The animal performed its duties quietly for several hundred years (it was bred to be silent when working), but with the advent or dog shows the breed found exposure. In 1934, the Glen of Imaal Terrier was given full recognition by the Irish Kennel Club (the third of the four Irish terrier breeds to be so acknowledged) and the breed is now recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, FCI, and several rare breed organizations throughout the world.

In the United States, the Glen is recognized by several organizations and registrations are now being recorded by the Foundation Stock Service of the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America is the oldest and largest breed club devoted to the Glen in the United States., with more than 125 members and better than 400 Glens living in some 30 states.

Judges

There will be – as there almost always is – a strong local connection at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

Patricia W. Laurans of Newtown will be judging beagles (both varieties) as well as Akitas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Doberman Pinschers and St. Bernards while Theresa L. Hundt of Newtown will be judging Alaskan Malamutes, Bullmastiffs, Giant Schnauzers, Great Danes and Siberian Huskies.

And Janina K. Laurin of Danbury will be judging Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdogs and Belgian Tervuren.