English Springer Spaniel Club

The English Springer Spaniel Club was established in 1921 in the United Kingdom and is known as the ‘Parent’ Club of the Breed. It is the first port of call for The Kennel Club on all matters related to the English Springer Spaniel.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
A conformation dog show, as the name suggests, is a show in which expert judges evaluate dogs according to how well they conform to their specific breed standards. These shows are often associated with specific kennel clubs, and are some of the most recognized dog shows in the world due to their prestige and media coverage. While obstacle courses and agility races are a lot more exciting, there is much more money involved for breeds and owners alike in conformation shows. The first conformation show was held almost 150 years ago in England, and since then, many new rules, standards and even breeds have been added to the mix. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, first held in 1877, is the most prestigious dog show in the United States, and one of the most important platforms for pedigree dogs in the sport.

Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks
Originally intended to showcase gun dogs, including pointers and setters, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been held annually in New York City for over 130 years, and is the second oldest continuously-held American sporting competition. While the show now uses American Kennel Club breed standards and judges, the AKC itself was not founded until 1884.

The Westminster Kennel Club was the first club admitted into the AKC. While the first shows focused on working dogs, contemporary shows are much more interested in the aesthetic qualities of the animals, including their coloring, posture, grooming and other physical criteria. The AKC is one of the prominent record-keeping agencies, and bloodlines and ancestral trees also play a large role in how the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show operates. The new two-day, two-hour format is very conducive to television coverage, and over 2500 dogs, and over 150 breeds, compete each year.

The American Kennel Club only recognizes certain dog breeds; many less prominent breeds recognized by other international associations are not included in their records. Dogs must be registered with the AKC in order to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show; however, new breeds are added occasionally, allowing for the art of breeding, and the creation and maintenance of lesser breeds, to continue.

Participants must also already be reigning champions for their breeds, a requirement initiated in 1992 to curb entry numbers. Most dogs are handled by professional dog handlers in the ring, although this practice is not mandatory; the breeder or owner is allowed to show his or her own dog, but usually skilled handlers have the better techniques needed to highlight each dog’s individual strengths.

Beyond the show ring, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a lucrative business for breeders and owners. Winners are often retired, but their work is far from done. Former winners can fetch large fees for breeding; since most kennel clubs do trace family trees, the offspring of former champions are prized possessions. Winning Best in Show or Best in Group is only the beginning of a show dog’s career.