10 controversies from the Westminster Dog Show

Anneta KonstantinidesJun 10, 2021, 21:07 IST

A PETA member holds a sign reading "Mutts Rule" during a protest at the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on February 16, 2010.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

There has been plenty of controversy in the Westminster Dog Show's 143-year history.
Two PETA members stormed the stage during the finals in 2010 with signs that read "Mutts Rule."
Westminster dumped sponsor Pedigree in 2012 after its commercials featured sad shelter dogs.

Tragedy struck the competition when eight dogs were poisoned in 1895.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1933. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

When a prize-winning dog appeared to die of poison in 2013, his owner claimed there was foul play.

A row of Samoyeds are groomed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12, 2013 in New York. Days after the competition, a Samoyed tragically died. STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images

Two PETA members stormed the stage at Madison Square Garden during the Westminster Dog Show finals in 2010.

A PETA protester holds a sign reading "Mutts Rule" during the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on February 16, 2010. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

In 2012, Westminster dumped its longtime sponsor Pedigree, the popular dog food brand, after its commercials featured sad shelter dogs.

A grab from the Pedigree commercial "See What Good Food Can Do" in 2014. Pedigree/YouTube

A New York Times report in 2013 revealed numerous scandals within the American Kennel Club (AKC), the governing body for the Westminster Dog Show.

A Labrador Retriever sits next to the logo of the American Kennel Club (AKC) at the Museum of the Dog on March 20, 2019 in New York City. JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

In 2016, a Westminster legend was ejected from Madison Square Garden in a move that angered fans.

Best in Show winner Uno at the 132nd annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2008. James Keivom/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

In 2018, a Reuters report found that male dogs win almost twice as much as female dogs at Westminster.

Rumor the German Shepherd poses after she won Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February 14, 2017. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

In 2018, a number of prominent dog breeders told the Washington Post that dogs whose ears and tails had not been cut off were at a disadvantage at Westminster.

A rottweiler with a docked tail at the Westminster Dog Show on February 16, 2016. Brad Barket/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

In 2019, a schipperke dog who had made the final seven for Westminster's Best in Show was booted from the competition.

Colton, a schipperke, poses with his handler Christa Cook backstage at Madison Square Garden during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on February 12, 2019. AP Photo/Nat Castaneda

But 2019's biggest controversy came when a beloved dachshund named Burns didn't take home the top prize.

Burns competes in Best in Show at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden on February 12, 2019, in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images

16 dog breeds that have never won the Westminster Dog Show

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