The 2012 Westminster Dog Show will feature six new breeds. I am excited to see the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show continue to grow, but it is unlikely that any of these new dog breeds will win Best in Show. At best, one might miraculously win its respective class at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show.
New Breeds at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show
The six new breeds being added for the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show fall into four of the show’s seven groups. The American English Coonhound will be among the hounds, and the Terrier Group will now include the Cesky Terrier. The Norwegian Lundehund and the politically-correct, but impossible to spell, Xoloitzcuintli will compete as non-sporting breeds. (The Xoliotzcuintli was formerly known as the Mexican Hairless). The Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Finnish Laphund are both herders.
History of New Breeds at the Westminster Dog Show
The historical record is not in favor of these new breeds wining Best in Show at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. No breed has ever won Best in Show during its first year. The Bichon Frise was the quickest breed to win Best in Show. It debuted in 1974 and won Best in Show at the 2001 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, 27 years later.
Winning the Group at the Westminster Dog Show
If a new breed were to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, it would shock the dog-show community. Yet, one might win its group. It is unlikely, but a new breed could win its group at Madison Square Garden.
The new breeds that might win their group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show are the Norwegian Lundehund or Xoloitzcuintli. The Cesky Terrier is competing in perhaps the toughest group. The American Eagle Coonhound is only one breed out of 29 breeds in its group. The non-sporting and herding groups each have two new breeds, instead of only one.
The non-sporting group, which now includes the Norwegian Lundehund and Xoloitzcuintli, only has 20 breeds in it, giving these two breeds the best statistical chance of winning their group. If either did win their group at the Westminster Dog Show, it would be a major feat for all the new breeds.
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Sources: Westminster Dog Show Breeds, Westminster Dog Show History, 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show