Photos show what it's really like behind the scenes at the Westminster dog show
![Photos show what it's really like behind the scenes at the Westminster dog show](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-100139783%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-1578746%2Fphotos-show-what-itaposs-really-like-behind-the-scenes-at-the-westminster-dog-show.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
A view from the floor of the Westminster dog show.Gabbi Shaw/Insider
- The 2023 Westminster Kennel Club crowned a new Best in Show winner on May 9.
- The Westminster dog show has taken place for 147 years, and as such, it is a well-oiled machine.
As a dog lover, attending the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, which crowned its 147th Best in Show winner on May 9, has long been a dream. So, when presented with the opportunity to attend with dog-toy brand Playology, I jumped at the chance.
I was given a behind-the-scenes look at the competition floor, the grooming tent, the set where competitors would be interviewed, and more.
Keep scrolling to see more about my experience at Westminster.
I attended this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show on May 8 and got a behind-the-scenes look at the prestigious competition.
![I attended this year](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139933,width-700,height-525,imgsize-588352/i-attended-this-yearaposs-westminster-kennel-club-dog-show-on-may-8-and-got-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-prestigious-competition-.jpg)
On the way to the show from the subway. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
Around 2,500 dogs from 210 breeds traveled to New York City's Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to compete for the Best in Show title — I couldn't wait to meet some of them.
![Around 2,500 dogs from 210 breeds traveled to New York City](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139930,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1345848/around-2500-dogs-from-210-breeds-traveled-to-new-york-cityaposs-billie-jean-king-national-tennis-center-to-compete-for-the-best-in-show-title-x2014-i-couldnapost-wait-to-meet-some-of-them-.jpg)
Outside the Arthur Ashe stadium, the biggest arena at the complex. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
First, I checked out some of the outdoor rings where each breed was being judged. It was hot in the sun, but luckily the dogs were in the shade.
![First, I checked out some of the outdoor rings where each breed was being judged. It was hot in the sun, but luckily the dogs were in the shade.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139927,width-700,height-525,imgsize-489392/first-i-checked-out-some-of-the-outdoor-rings-where-each-breed-was-being-judged-it-was-hot-in-the-sun-but-luckily-the-dogs-were-in-the-shade-.jpg)
The Boston Terriers. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
As I made my way around, I came across a few corgis waiting for their turn in the ring.
![As I made my way around, I came across a few corgis waiting for their turn in the ring.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139923,width-700,height-525,imgsize-236782/as-i-made-my-way-around-i-came-across-a-few-corgis-waiting-for-their-turn-in-the-ring-.jpg)
Corgis everywhere. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
Entering the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest arena at the complex, I saw the purple carpet where winners would be taken for portraits.
![Entering the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest arena at the complex, I saw the purple carpet where winners would be taken for portraits.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139922,width-700,height-525,imgsize-492608/entering-the-arthur-ashe-stadium-the-biggest-arena-at-the-complex-i-saw-the-purple-carpet-where-winners-would-be-taken-for-portraits-.jpg)
The purple carpet. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
I made my way to the competition floor, which is just for dogs and their handlers. Here's a view from the entrance — it was a sight to behold.
![I made my way to the competition floor, which is just for dogs and their handlers. Here](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139919,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1578746/i-made-my-way-to-the-competition-floor-which-is-just-for-dogs-and-their-handlers-hereaposs-a-view-from-the-entrance-x2014-it-was-a-sight-to-behold-.jpg)
A view from the floor of the Westminster dog show. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
I saw the famous podium where the eventual Best in Show winner, Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, would take photos after being crowned on May 9.
![I saw the famous podium where the eventual Best in Show winner, Buddy Holly, a petit basset griffon Vendéen, would take photos after being crowned on May 9.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139916,width-700,height-525,imgsize-793884/i-saw-the-famous-podium-where-the-eventual-best-in-show-winner-buddy-holly-a-petit-basset-griffon-vendxe9en-would-take-photos-after-being-crowned-on-may-9-.jpg)
The winner's circle. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
Of course, I watched the competitions too. In this case, I saw the Pomeranians lined up with their coats fluffed to perfection.
![Of course, I watched the competitions too. In this case, I saw the Pomeranians lined up with their coats fluffed to perfection.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139912,width-700,height-525,imgsize-192182/of-course-i-watched-the-competitions-too-in-this-case-i-saw-the-pomeranians-lined-up-with-their-coats-fluffed-to-perfection-.jpg)
Pomeranians. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
At the edge of the performance area, I saw where the dogs were waiting for their turn. This Japanese chin was cool as a cucumber perched on top of its kennel.
![At the edge of the performance area, I saw where the dogs were waiting for their turn. This Japanese chin was cool as a cucumber perched on top of its kennel.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139908,width-700,height-525,imgsize-620624/at-the-edge-of-the-performance-area-i-saw-where-the-dogs-were-waiting-for-their-turn-this-japanese-chin-was-cool-as-a-cucumber-perched-on-top-of-its-kennel-.jpg)
A Japanese chin. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
In general, the event seemed like well-organized chaos. Dogs and handlers were everywhere, but no one was stressed. It was also very quiet, with only scattered applause. It felt a little like watching a tennis match.
![In general, the event seemed like well-organized chaos. Dogs and handlers were everywhere, but no one was stressed. It was also very quiet, with only scattered applause. It felt a little like watching a tennis match.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139905,width-700,height-525,imgsize-656312/in-general-the-event-seemed-like-well-organized-chaos-dogs-and-handlers-were-everywhere-but-no-one-was-stressed-it-was-also-very-quiet-with-only-scattered-applause-it-felt-a-little-like-watching-a-tennis-match-.jpg)
Another dog waiting for his turn at Westminster. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
Next, I got a peek at the Ready Room, a bright-purple room with white couches where winners and their handlers would be interviewed on Fox Sports.
![Next, I got a peek at the Ready Room, a bright-purple room with white couches where winners and their handlers would be interviewed on Fox Sports.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139901,width-700,height-525,imgsize-499156/next-i-got-a-peek-at-the-ready-room-a-bright-purple-room-with-white-couches-where-winners-and-their-handlers-would-be-interviewed-on-fox-sports-.jpg)
The Ready Room. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
I made my way to the grooming tent. It was hot outside, so many of the dogs were napping and getting fanned. This cavalier King Charles spaniel had the right idea.
![I made my way to the grooming tent. It was hot outside, so many of the dogs were napping and getting fanned. This cavalier King Charles spaniel had the right idea.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139897,width-700,height-525,imgsize-300278/i-made-my-way-to-the-grooming-tent-it-was-hot-outside-so-many-of-the-dogs-were-napping-and-getting-fanned-this-cavalier-king-charles-spaniel-had-the-right-idea-.jpg)
A cavalier King Charles spaniel taking a nap. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
In the tent, I also saw poodles being trimmed in the classic competition style, with balls of fur on each paw.
![In the tent, I also saw poodles being trimmed in the classic competition style, with balls of fur on each paw.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139892,width-700,height-525,imgsize-464584/in-the-tent-i-also-saw-poodles-being-trimmed-in-the-classic-competition-style-with-balls-of-fur-on-each-paw-.jpg)
I saw many poodles. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
There were travel cages and kennels everywhere, making the grooming tent seem like a maze.
![There were travel cages and kennels everywhere, making the grooming tent seem like a maze.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139887,width-700,height-525,imgsize-666412/there-were-travel-cages-and-kennels-everywhere-making-the-grooming-tent-seem-like-a-maze-.jpg)
There were many more dogs waiting for their turns inside the kennels. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
But competitors seemed happy to be there. This dog gave me a huge smile and lots of kisses when I introduced myself.
![But competitors seemed happy to be there. This dog gave me a huge smile and lots of kisses when I introduced myself.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139882,width-700,height-525,imgsize-530418/but-competitors-seemed-happy-to-be-there-this-dog-gave-me-a-huge-smile-and-lots-of-kisses-when-i-introduced-myself-.jpg)
Big smiles for the camera. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
I also noticed just how much fur was being shed. Someone with dog allergies would not have a great time at Westminster.
![I also noticed just how much fur was being shed. Someone with dog allergies would not have a great time at Westminster.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139877,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1604978/i-also-noticed-just-how-much-fur-was-being-shed-someone-with-dog-allergies-would-not-have-a-great-time-at-westminster-.jpg)
So much fur. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
Overall, the dogs were getting treated better than humans. By midday, I was sweating and could've used a lie-down with fans blowing in my face.
![Overall, the dogs were getting treated better than humans. By midday, I was sweating and could](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139871,width-700,height-525,imgsize-366126/overall-the-dogs-were-getting-treated-better-than-humans-by-midday-i-was-sweating-and-couldaposve-used-a-lie-down-with-fans-blowing-in-my-face-.jpg)
A pampered pooch. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
There was also a lot of merchandise and other items for sale, like this four-berth competition trolley. Online, they go for hundreds of dollars.
![There was also a lot of merchandise and other items for sale, like this four-berth competition trolley. Online, they go for hundreds of dollars.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139869,width-700,height-525,imgsize-929752/there-was-also-a-lot-of-merchandise-and-other-items-for-sale-like-this-four-berth-competition-trolley-online-they-go-for-hundreds-of-dollars-.jpg)
A trolley for sale. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
The best part of the day, of course, was getting to spend time in a place filled with dogs and other dog lovers.
![The best part of the day, of course, was getting to spend time in a place filled with dogs and other dog lovers.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139867,width-700,height-525,imgsize-387894/the-best-part-of-the-day-of-course-was-getting-to-spend-time-in-a-place-filled-with-dogs-and-other-dog-lovers-.jpg)
The opposite of mean mugging for the camera. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
I would come back to Westminster in a heartbeat, even if I could only watch from the stands next time.
![I would come back to Westminster in a heartbeat, even if I could only watch from the stands next time.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-100139863,width-700,height-525,imgsize-656346/i-would-come-back-to-westminster-in-a-heartbeat-even-if-i-could-only-watch-from-the-stands-next-time-.jpg)
The banners were changed for the show. Gabbi Shaw/Insider
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