NEW YORK CITY, New York – Mrs Lynette Saltzman has attended every Westminster since 1949 and finished her first champion at the 1957 show, but the 129th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 14 and 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City will be even more special for her.

Mrs Saltzman has been selected to judge Best In Show, the ultimate award at the world’s pre-eminent dog show.

A resident of Westport, Mrs Saltzman is a lifelong dog breeder-owner (Shetland Sheepdogs), and has been licensed to judge since 1969. She has officiated at Westminster on six different occasions in the past, including the Herding Group in 1991 and the Working Group in 1999.

She will head a panel of 40 judges from 17 states and Canada.

Judging the seven Variety Groups will be Paula Nykiel of Washington, Missouri (Sporting); Dana Cline of Loves Park, Illinois (Hound); Norman Kenney of Westford, Massachusetts (Working); Cindy Vogels of Greenwood Village, Colorado (Terrier); Kenneth McDermott of Newburgh, New York (Toy); Sandra Goose Allen of Madeira Beach, Florida (Non-Sporting); and Dorothy Collier of Wellington, Florida (Herding).

Dr. J Charles Garvin of Marion, Ohio will judge the Junior Showmanship Finals.

There will be 165 breeds and varieties eligible for competition in 2005, including three newly-recognized breeds: the Black Russian Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff (both in the Working Group), and the Glen of Imaal Terrier (Terrier Group).

Breed judges for 2005 will include:

 

Sporting Breeds and Varieties (28) – Ann F. Yuhasz, Newbury, Ohio (Brittanys, English Setters, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, Spinone Italianos); Dr Joanne B. Engel, Albany, Oregon (Pointers, Pointers (German Shorthaired), Pointers (German Wirehaired), Vizslas, Weimaraners); Constance M. Barton, Middleburg, Virginia (Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers); Robert D. Ennis, Angola, New York (Curly-Coated Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels-Black, Cocker Spaniels A.S.C.O.B., Cocker Spaniels-PartiColor, English Springer Spaniels); Pluis Davern, Royal Oaks, Califonia (Flat-Coated Retrievers, American Water Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, Field Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons).

Hound Breeds and Varieties (25) – Michael J. Dougherty, Playa del Rey, California (Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds); Betty-Anne Stenmark, Woodside, California (Basset Hounds, Black & Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, American Foxhounds, English Foxhounds, Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens); Patricia W. Laurans, Newtown (Beagles-Both Varieties); Dr Richard Meen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Borzois, Greyhounds, Harriers, Ibizan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Otterhounds, Pharaoh Hounds); Michael J. Dachel, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (Dachshunds-All Varieties); Dr J. Donald Jones, Marietta, Georgia (Whippets).

Working Breeds (24) – Patricia W. Laurans, Newtown (Akitas, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, St. Bernards); Theresa L. Hundt, Newtown (Alaskan Malamutes, Bullmastiffs, Giant Schnauzers, Great Danes, Siberian Huskies); Roger R. Hartinger, Cincinnati, Ohio (Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Mastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs, Newfoundlands); Donald F. Carmody, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (Boxers, Komondorok, Kuvaszok, Rottweilers); Kimberly Anne Meredith, Pleasant Hill, California (Black Russian Terriers, German Pinschers, Great Pyrenees, Portuguese Water Dogs, Samoyeds, Standard Schnauzers).

Terrier Breeds and Varieties (28) – Karen C. Wilson, Sperryville, Virginia (Airedale Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, Norfolk Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Scottish Terriers); Jon R. Cole, Nashville, Tennessee (American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers-Both Varieties, Irish Terriers, Kerry Blue Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Welsh Terriers); Walter F. Goodman, Miami, Florida (Australian Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, West Highland White Terriers); William F. Potter II, St. Louis, Missouri (Border Terriers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Fox Terriers-Both Varieties, Lakeland Terriers, Standard Manchester Terriers, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terriers).

Toy Breeds and Varieties (23) – Jacqueline L. Stacy, Fallbrook, California (Affenpinschers, Brussels Griffons, English Toy Spaniels-Blenheim & Prince Charles), English Toy Spaniels-King Charles & Ruby), Havanese, Papillons); Anne Katona, Morgan Hill, California (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Italian Greyhounds, Japanese Chin, Pomeranians, Silky Terriers, Toy Fox Terriers); Clay Coady, Paradise Valley, Arizona (Chihuahuas-Both Varieties, Pekingese); Luc Boileau, Burlington, Wisconsin (Chinese Cresteds, Miniature Pinschers, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers); Doris Cozart, Kaufman, Texas (Maltese, Toy Manchester Terriers, Pugs); Edd E. Bivin, Ft. Worth, Texas (Toy Poodles).

Non-Sporting Breeds and Varieties (18) – R. Ellen Fetter, Lima, Ohio (American Eskimo Dogs, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chows, Finnish Spitz, Lowchen); Joe C. Walton, Santa Ana, California (Bichons Frises, Lhasa Apsos); Paula Hartinger, Cincinnati, Ohio (Boston Terriers, Keeshonden, Schipperkes, Tibetan Spaniels, Tibetan Terriers); Clay Coady, Paradise Valley, Arizona (Bulldogs); Edd E. Bivin, Ft. Worth, Texas (Dalmatians, French Bulldogs, Poodles (Miniature), Poodles (Standard), Shibu Inu).

Herding Breeds and Varieties (19) – Irene Bivin, Ft. Worth, Texas (Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, Bearded Collies, Pulik); Janina K. Laurin, Danbury (Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdogs, Belgian Tervuren); Eric J. Ringle, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (Border Collies, Briards, Canaan Dogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs); Clay Coady, Paradise Valley, Arizona (Bouvier des Flanders); Dr J Donald Jones, Marietta, Georgia (Collies-Rough, Collies-Smooth, Old English Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Welsh Corgis-Cardigan, Welsh Corgis-Pembroke).

Junior Showmanship Preliminaries – Donald F. Carmody, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Eric J. Ringle, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Once registration opened on December 3, the entry limit of 2,500 dogs was reached in less than an hour.

The final total is 2,581 dogs, which includes dogs that had been invited to pre-enter for being ranked in the top five of their respective breeds or varieties and 81 dogs also entered in Junior Showmanship.

Golden Retrievers top the list with 53 entries, the highest single entry since 1995 when 54 Chinese Shar Peis were entered.

Dachshunds, with three varieties, have a total of 64 entries. Other top entries include Mastiffs 45, Rhodesian Ridgebacks 39, Havanese 39, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 35, Australian Shepherds 34, Pugs 33, French Bulldogs 33, Samoyeds 32 and Labrador Retrievers 30. Poodles have a total entry of 34 in three varieties.

The list:

Sporting Breeds – Brittanys 16, Pointers 18, Pointers (German Shorthaired) 24, Pointers (German Wirehaired) 10, Retrievers (Chesapeake Bay) 16, Retrievers (Curly-Coated) 11, Retrievers (Flat-Coated) 20, Retrievers (Golden) 53, Retrievers (Labrador) 30, Retrievers (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling) 10, Setters (English) 23, Setters (Gordon) 9, Setters (Irish) 26, Spaniels (American Water) 3, Spaniels (Clumber) 16, Spaniels (Cocker) Black 13, Spaniels (Cocker) ASCOB 14, Spaniels (Cocker) Parti-Color 10, Spaniels (English Cocker) 15, Spaniels (English Springer) 24, Spaniels (Field) 5, Spaniels (Irish Water) 4, Spaniels (Sussex) 7, Spaniels (Welsh Springer) 6, Spinone Italiano13, Vizslas 26, Weimaraners 22, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons 4.

Hound Breeds – Afghan Hounds 21, Basenjis 16, Basset Hounds 16, Beagles (13”) 10, Beagles (15”) 18, Black and Tan Coonhounds 9, Bloodhounds 10, Borzois 27, Dachshunds (Longhaired) 18, Dachshunds (Smooth) 26, Dachshunds (Wirehaired) 20, Foxhounds (American) 6, Foxhounds (English) 6, Greyhounds 13, Harriers 4, Ibizan Hounds 6, Irish Wolfhounds 13, Norwegian Elkhounds 6, Otterhounds 3, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen 13, Pharaoh Hounds 11, Rhodesian Ridgebacks 39, Salukis 15, Scottish Deerhounds 6, Whippets 13.

Working Breeds – Akitas 21, Alaskan Malamutes 15, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs 5, Bernese Mountain Dogs 18, Black Russian Terriers 15, Boxers 16, Bullmastiffs 22, Doberman Pinschers 27, German Pinschers 8, Giant Schnauzers 20, Great Danes 19, Great Pyrenees 12, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 19, Komondorok 4, Kuvaszok 7, Mastiffs 45, Neapolitan Mastiffs 3, Newfoundlands 13, Portuguese Water Dogs 26, Rottweilers 25, St. Bernards 8, Samoyeds 32, Siberian Huskies 19, Standard Schnauzers 13.

Terrier Breeds – Airedale Terriers 15, American Staffordshire Terriers 17, Australian Terriers 13, Bedlington Terriers 18, Border Terriers 16, Bull Terriers (Colored) 5, Bull Terriers (White) 5, Cairn Terriers 12, Dandie Dinmont Terriers 9, Fox Terriers (Smooth) 18, Fox Terriers (Wire) 14, Glen of Imaal Terriers 5, Irish Terriers 6, Kerry Blue Terriers 12, Lakeland Terriers 12, Manchester Terriers (Standard) 15, Miniature Bull Terriers 11, Miniature Schnauzers 9, Norfolk Terriers 14, Norwich Terriers 18, Parson Russell Terriers 25, Scottish Terriers 10, Sealyham Terriers 5, Skye Terriers 6, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers 7, Staffordshire Bull Terriers 8, Welsh Terriers 11, West Highland White Terriers 14.

Toy Breeds – Affenpinschers 10, Brussels Griffons 10, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 35, Chihuahuas (Long Coat) 8, Chihuahuas (Smooth Coat) 11, Chinese Cresteds 29, English Toy Spaniels (Blenheim & Prince Charles) 2, English Toy Spaniels (King Charles & Ruby) 4, Havanese 39, Italian Greyhounds 20, Japanese Chins 11, Maltese 14, Manchester Terriers (Toy) 11, Miniature Pinschers 23, Papillons 22, Pekingese 6, Pomeranians 27, Poodles (Toy) 12 , Pugs 33, Shih Tzu 15, Silky Terriers 11, Toy Fox Terriers 12, Yorkshire Terriers 24.

Non-Sporting Breeds – American Eskimo Dogs 13, Bichon Frises 15, Boston Terriers 20, Bulldogs 15, Chinese Shar-Pei 23, Chow Chows 11, Dalmatians 17, Finnish Spitz 9, French Bulldogs 33, Keeshonds 20, Lhasa Apsos 16, Lowchens 9, Poodles (Miniature) 11, Poodles (Standard) 11, Schipperkes 14, Shiba Inu 20, Tibetan Spaniels 14, Tibetan Terriers 15.

Herding Breeds – Australian Cattle Dogs 10, Australian Shepherds 34, Bearded Collies 26, Belgian Malinois 17, Belgian Sheepdogs 13, Belgian Tervurens 14, Border Collies 18, Bouviers des Flandres 26, Briards 17, Canaan Dogs 6, Collies (Rough) 6, Collies (Smooth) 8, German Shepherd Dogs 8, Old English Sheepdogs 18, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 9, Pulik 8, Shetland Sheepdogs 8, Welsh Corgis (Cardigan) 18, Welsh Corgis (Pembroke) 17.

The largest number of competitors will be from California (313) with New York (226) coming in second and Pennsylvania (177) coming in third.

There will be one competitor from North Dakota and two each from South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

Entries by State – Alabama 8, Alaska 4, Arizona 33, Arkansas 12, California 313, Colorado 49, Connecticut 106, Delaware 11, Florida 127, Georgia 55, Idaho 3, Illinois 71, Indiana 36, Iowa 11, Kansas 15, Kentucky 25, Louisiana 14, Maine 17, Maryland 93, Massachusetts 101, Michigan 81, Minnesota 21, Mississippi 7, Missouri 28, Montana 2, Nebraska 12, Nevada 11, New Hampshire 27, New Jersey 165, New Mexico 9, New York 226, North Carolina 59, North Dakota 1, Ohio 100, Oklahoma 19, Oregon 24, Pennsylvania 177, Rhode Island 17, South Carolina 20, South Dakota 2, Tennessee 33, Texas 148, Utah 7, Vermont 14, Virginia 77, Washington 76, West Virginia 9, Wisconsin 28, Wyoming 2.

OTHERS: Puerto Rico 4, Canada 43.