Westminster Dog Show To Feature 2 New Breeds, Bigger Agility Contest
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two new breeds and a bigger lineup of nimble agility competitors will bound into the Westminster Kennel Club dog show this year.
Flanked by dogs ranging from a great dane to the lap-sized coton de tulear, organizers discussed plans Wednesday for next month's show.
PHOTOS: Dog Show Preview
It comes a year after the prestigious canine competition added a new dimension by including an agility competition open to mixed-breed dogs.
This year, the Feb. 14 agility contest will feature 330 contestants to last year's 225.
Westminster Dog Show To Feature 2 New Breeds, Bigger Agility Contest
In the breed judging Feb. 16 and 17, the coton de tulear and the wire-haired vizsla will make their debuts among over 2,700 competitors.
Hillary Prim, of the American Kennel Club, said the coton's pure white hair makes it look like a giant cotton swab.
"They make really good dogs for people with allergies because they don't shed, believe it or not," Prim told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. "They do require a good brushing and grooming because they have long hair, very fluffy hair."
David Frei, director of communications for the Westminster Kennel Club, told CBS2's Vanessa Murdock newly recognized breeds have to have a certain population in the country first.
"And they need to have geographic distribution as well, so they can't all live on my farm in Texas," he said.
Frei said new breeds also need to have a group of followers to advocate and watch over their well-being.
Justine Romano told Murdock she went to endless shows and filled out mountains of paperwork because she believes her favorite breed needs policing.
"Breed to the standard, keep the dog as is," she said.
It took two years of hard work to get the American Kennel Club to recognize the coton de tulear as an official breed.
Now, Romano can't wait to show her two beauties, Chanel and Burberry, Murdock reported.
For the first time, the show will coincide with the American Kennel Club's non-competitive "Meet the Breeds'' event.
Next year, seven new breeds are expected to be welcomed at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. There's still word yet on what breeds they are.
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