Two New Breeds Make Their Debut At The 2019 Westminster KC Dog Show

 

New York, NY (October 8, 2018) – The Madison Square Garden Company and the Westminster Kennel Club have announced that two new breeds, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen and the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, will compete for the very first time at the 143rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show when it returns to The World's Most Famous Arena on Monday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 12, 2019.Tickets for the events at Madison Square Garden are on sale now.

 

Debuting at the 2019 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, more affectionately known as the "GBGV" or "Grand," first appeared as early as the end of the 19th century in the region of Vendéen in France. Primarily a pack hunter in their native homeland and throughout Europe, the GBGV is capable of hunting a wide variety of game from the rabbit to wild boar. It is favored as a hunter, companion and friend to those willing to take the time to nurture and appreciate the characteristics that make the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen a unique breed.

 

Also competing for the first time this year is the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. For centuries, the agile little orange-red and white dog from Holland has used their gaily waving tail to lure ducks in an elaborate pond trapping system called "Eendenkooi." The breed was saved from extinction in 1939 by the Baroness von Hardenbroek von Ammerstol and the breed's foundation litter was born in 1942. The "Kooiker" competes in agility, obedience/rally, barn hunt and flyball with enthusiastic cheerfulness, but is also content to share a favorite sofa with their owner.

 

"The first year of eligibility to enter Westminster is a historic milestone for breeds," said Gail Miller Bisher, director of communications, Westminster Kennel Club. "We congratulate these two breed clubs for earning American Kennel Club recognition. We look forward to welcoming their Best in Breed winners in February when they make history competing on the green carpet at Madison Square Garden for the first time."

 

Tickets for the events at Madison Square Garden are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.msg.com, Ticketmaster at 1-866-858-0008 or the Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre box offices. For group sales, call 212-465-6080. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Disabled Services Department at 212-465-6115.For information regarding all event schedules for Westminster Week and tickets through the Westminster Kennel Club office, go to westminsterkennelclub.org.

 

The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences.  The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York's Madison Square Garden, The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston.  Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, MSG's NBA 2K League franchise.  In addition, the Company features the popular original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England's preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, The Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal.  More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

 

The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all-breed, benched dog show held every year in New York City. Today 204 breeds and varieties of dogs compete in Best of Breed judging at Piers 92/94 with the winners advancing to Group and Best in Show competitions at Madison Square Garden. America's dog show has expanded into Westminster Week which includes the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster and the Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster, both held at Pier 94. More than 3,000 dogs entered from around the world compete in these events, making Westminster Week like no other. Westminster. There's only one. (R) Follow us @WKCDOGS or visit: westminsterkennelclub.org.