Westminster Dog Show Competitors Strut Their Stuff Ahead Of Big Day

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Talk about dog-eat-dog. For the 139^th year, the finest canines will go head-to-head for the top honor at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

So what's it like to battle for best in show? CBS2's Hazel Sanchez went to size up the competition.

"It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun work," owner and handler Denis Johnson said.

This is Johnson's first year to take the floor with newcomer Nigel from Nutley, New Jersey. The 2-year-old Norwich Terrier was winning votes for Mr. Congeniality as he greeted his fellow competitors.

Nigel comes from a champion bloodline, Sanchez reported. His great-grandfather Willem the Conqueror won Best in Show in 1994.

In the room filled with the best in breeds, Nigel is a known force to be reckoned with.

The dogs are more than just a bunch of pretty faces, some of them have amazing lives they lead at home.

Sam is a 2-year-old Gordon Setter and is not the only competitor in the Sporting Dog Division—he's also on staff as a therapy dog at Duke University's Cancer Center.

"The show ring helped prepare him for therapy," Sam's owner Sandra Towne said.

No dog will leave the competition without winning someone's heart.

"(Do you think your dog knows it's here for a competition?) Absolutely. We say, 'Let's load up,' and she says. 'OK, let's go!'" Adrianne Dering said.

It's a labor of love for Dering, who is at the competition with three of her Coton de Tulears. It's the breed's first year to be eligible for Westminster.

"I have dreamed of doing the green carpet at Westminster since 2007 and it feels like I need to pinch myself," she said.

Competitors say if they don't win Best in Show, tomorrow is another dog day.

The Agility Championship and Meet the Breeds events are set for Saturday. The Best in Show finals are Tuesday.