NEW YORK, NY – When the German short-haired and German wire-haired pointers, or the Basset hounds and Otterhounds take to the floor at Madison Square Garden during the 124th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (February 14-15), Patricia Laurans of Newtown will be there judging the animals.

Ms Laurans is just one, however, of an entire calvalcade of judges who will be up to the task of judging some 2,500 dogs in dozens of different divisions – all with the ultimate goal, of course, of being named Best in Show.

Westminster, recognized by authorities as the most prestigious of America’s dog shows, is the oldest, continuously run sporting event in the country, with the exception of the Kentucky Derby, which is twenty months older.

American Kennel Club champions of all 156 currently recognized breeds and varieties will be represented at next years show. Leading the entries will be the three varieties of Dachshunds (67), Golden Retrievers (43), Rhodesian Ridgebacks (42), the three varieties of Poodles (39), Whippets (37), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (35) and Mastiffs and Chinese Cresteds (34 each).

Entries in the three breeds exhibiting for the first time at Westminster in 2000 will be Anatolian Shepherd Dogs (3), Havanese (15) and Lowchen (9).

The show will be broadcast on the USA network from 8 to 11 pm on Monday, February 14 (repeating Tuesday, February 15, at 11 am) and from 8 to 11 pm on Tuesday, February 15 (repeating Wednesday, February 16, at 11 am).