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Westminster Dog Show Kicks Off At MSG Today

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The country's most famous dog show - the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show - kicks off at Madison Square Garden today.

WCBS 880's Marla Diamond On The Story

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This year is the 136th show and 2,000 dogs will be competing.

RELATED: CBSNewYork Guide To The Westminster Dog Show

Inside the garden, there's the competition.

"Behind the scenes, it's the doggie day spa," said Jerry Grimach, who does P.R. - pooch relations - for the Hotel Pennsylvania. "There's a canine gym. We have a masseuse and a psychic to help relieve and calm you down for the mind and body and soul."

And it's perfectly normal, says Marianne Creary of Toronto, standing next to her beautiful King Charles Spaniels.

"I don't think it's too much," Creary told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond. "Better grooming products than I would by for myself, too."

"How does the dog feel about it?" Diamond asked Nikki Kinsinger.

"They have a great time. They sleep well," answered Kinsinger, who brought first-timer Reese, a Tibetan Terrier, to a dog psychic Anne Germani.

Sleeping well - not something that can be said for the dogs' handlers.

The show concludes on Tuesday.

What's your favorite breed of dog? Share your answer in the comments section below!

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