What Makes Westminster Dog Show Winner: The Canine...
What makes a Westminster dog show winner? Explore the canine science of conformation, movement, genetics, and temperament that defines Best in Show.
What Makes a Westminster Dog Show Winner?
A Westminster Dog Show winner is selected based on how closely each dog matches its breed's official written standard — a detailed blueprint covering skeletal structure, proportions, movement (gait), coat, and temperament. Judges evaluate conformation (physical structure), not obedience or tricks. The winning dog is simply the one that most closely embodies the ideal specimen described in its breed standard, as interpreted by the judge on that day. There is no objective scoring system; it is a comparative evaluation rooted in over a century of canine science and selective breeding.
Every February, millions of viewers tune in to watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, making it one of the most-watched canine events in the United States. But behind the grooming tables and ring-side drama lies a complex intersection of genetics, biomechanics, and behavioral science. Understanding what judges actually evaluate — and why those criteria exist — reveals far more about canine biology than most spectators realize.
The Science of Conformation: What Judges Are Really Evaluating
Conformation refers to a dog's physical structure — the arrangement of bones, muscles, and connective tissue that determines how the animal looks and moves. At Westminster, judges assess conformation against breed standards published by the American Kennel Club (AKC). These standards are remarkably specific documents. A Golden Retriever standard, for instance, calls for a dog standing 23-24 inches at the withers (males) with a coat of "lustrous golden" that is neither coarse nor silky.
But conformation is not just aesthetics. It is functional anatomy. The angles of a dog's shoulder (ideally 45 degrees from horizontal in many sporting breeds), the ratio of back length to leg height, and the depth of chest all determine how efficiently a dog can perform the work its breed was originally developed to do. A Border Collie's structure should enable sustained crouching and explosive sprinting. A Greyhound's deep brisket and extreme angulation allow for the double-suspension gallop that produces speeds over 40 mph.
The Biomechanics of Gait Assessment
When a judge asks a handler to "take the dog around" or move it in a triangle pattern, they are observing gait efficiency. Canine locomotion science identifies several gait types: walk, amble, trot, canter, and gallop. Judges primarily evaluate the trot because it reveals structural faults most clearly. In a correct trot, a dog's front and rear legs on the same side move in parallel, with feet converging toward a center line as speed increases (called "single-tracking").
Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Anatomy demonstrates that dogs with optimal shoulder angulation (scapular angle of approximately 45-55 degrees) exhibit greater stride length and lower energy expenditure during sustained trotting. Dogs with steep shoulders (angles above 60 degrees) show shorter, choppier strides and increased vertical oscillation — the up-and-down bounce that wastes energy. This is not merely cosmetic: a working herding dog with poor angulation will fatigue faster and be less effective in the field.
Evolutionary Basis: From Wolf Ancestry to the Show Ring
Why Structure Matters: The Wolf Blueprint
All domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) descend from Pleistocene wolves that roamed Eurasia roughly 15,000-40,000 years ago. The ancestral wolf's body plan was shaped by persistence hunting — tracking prey over vast distances at a sustained trot. This selected for specific structural traits: a deep chest housing large lungs and heart, angulated hindquarters for propulsive power, and a flexible spine that stores and releases elastic energy during locomotion.
Modern breed standards for working and sporting breeds often echo this ancestral blueprint. A German Shepherd's standard calls for a trotting gait that is "smooth and rhythmic" with "maximum ground coverage with minimum effort" — language that essentially describes the persistence-hunting wolf's locomotion. The difference is that 150+ years of selective breeding have exaggerated, diminished, or radically altered these traits depending on breed function.
The evolutionary basis of canine structure explains why certain faults are penalized across nearly all breeds. A level bite (where incisors meet edge-to-edge rather than in a scissor configuration) reduces gripping efficiency — a trait that would have hampered an ancestral wolf's ability to hold struggling prey. Cow-hocked hind legs (where the hocks turn inward) reduce lateral stability and propulsive force. These are not arbitrary aesthetic preferences; they reflect functional deficits that natural selection would have penalized in wild canids.
However, selective breeding for show conformation has sometimes diverged significantly from the ancestral form. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs have been selected for skull shapes that would be impossible in nature — shortened muzzles that produce brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a condition where the soft palate, narrowed nostrils, and compressed nasal passages impair breathing. A 2023 study in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that over 50% of French Bulldogs exhibited clinically significant BOAS. This tension between breed standards and functional health remains one of the most debated topics in the canine science community, and organizations like the AKC have faced pressure to revise standards that incentivize extreme conformations.
The Physiology Behind Show-Winning Traits
Several physiological systems converge to produce a dog that excels in the conformation ring:
| Physiological System | What It Produces | How Judges Assess It |
|---|---|---|
| Skeletal geometry | Bone angles, proportions, joint alignment | Visual assessment, hand examination of structure |
| Musculoskeletal development | Muscle tone, ligament strength, tendon elasticity | Palpation of topline, thigh, and shoulder muscling |
| Coat physiology | Hair follicle density, texture, oil production | Running hands through coat, parting to examine undercoat |
| Neurological temperament | Confidence, alertness, stress response regulation | Observing behavior during handling, approach, and examination |
| Dentition and jaw structure | Tooth alignment, jaw width, bite configuration | Lip examination, checking for scissor/level/undershot bite |
The neurological component deserves particular attention. A Westminster Dog Show winner must remain composed while being handled by a stranger (the judge), surrounded by unfamiliar dogs, and exposed to crowd noise, bright lighting, and prolonged standing. This requires a well-regulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis — the stress response system. Dogs with genetically lower cortisol reactivity tend to present more confidently in the ring. Experienced handlers often describe top-winning dogs as having an almost uncanny "presence" or "attitude" — what the canine behavioral science literature calls environmental confidence, a trait with documented heritability estimates of 0.20-0.35 in several breeds studied by the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
Genetics and Breeding: The Blueprint Behind Best in Show
No dog arrives at Westminster by accident. The typical Best in Show contender represents generations of deliberate genetic selection. Responsible breeders use tools like estimated breeding values (EBVs) and coefficients of inbreeding (COIs) to make mating decisions that improve conformation while managing genetic diversity.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains health screening databases that many show breeders rely on. For breeds prone to hip dysplasia, breeders screen potential parents via OFA hip radiographs, selecting only dogs rated "Good" or "Excellent." For breeds at risk of degenerative myelopathy or progressive retinal atrophy, DNA testing identifies carriers before breeding occurs. A Westminster-caliber dog is typically the product of a pedigree where health testing and conformation excellence have been prioritized simultaneously for multiple generations.
However, the genetics of conformation are polygenic — controlled by many genes, each with small effects. This makes breeding for show quality far less predictable than breeding for single-gene traits like coat color. Two champion parents may produce puppies that are only average in conformation, while two modest-quality dogs may occasionally produce an exceptional specimen. This genetic complexity is why top show kennels often maintain breeding programs spanning decades, building deep knowledge of which line combinations produce desired structural traits.
Common Misconceptions About Westminster Winners
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| The "best trained" dog wins Westminster. | Conformation shows judge structure, not obedience. Dogs are evaluated on physical traits against their breed standard, not on performing commands. |
| Westminster winners are just about looks, not health. | Most show breeders perform extensive health testing (OFA hips, cardiac exams, eye certifications, DNA panels). Structural correctness and health are often intertwined. |
| Any purebred dog can compete at Westminster. | Dogs must earn their AKC Championship (CH) title by accumulating points at sanctioned shows before qualifying for Westminster. Only the top-ranked dogs in each breed typically receive invitations. |
| Show dogs make bad pets because they're "too high-strung." | Many retired show dogs transition into calm household companions. Temperament is breed-dependent, not show-dependent. Some of the most stable temperaments come from well-bred show lines. |
| The judge picks whichever dog they personally like best. | While subjectivity exists, experienced judges evaluate against a written standard. Their decisions are informed by decades of studying breed type, structure, and movement. |
How Westminster Winners Differ From Humans in Physical Evaluation
The comparison between canine conformation judging and human beauty contests is a common but fundamentally flawed analogy. In human pageantry, subjective aesthetic preference dominates. In canine conformation, judges are evaluating against a functional blueprint — a written standard that specifies measurable traits like height ranges (e.g., a male Labrador Retriever should stand 22.5-24.5 inches at the withers), proportion ratios, and movement patterns. A judge can physically measure a dog's height with a wicket, count its teeth, and palpate its testicles (intact males only compete in conformation).
Additionally, canine conformation evaluation has a purpose that human aesthetic evaluation lacks: it serves as a quality-control mechanism for breed preservation. The breed standard exists to ensure that each breed retains the physical characteristics that enabled it to perform its historical function — whether that is herding sheep, retrieving waterfowl, or guarding livestock. When a judge selects a Westminster Dog Show winner, they are making a statement about which dog best preserves the functional form of its breed.
Practical Implications: What This Means for Dog Owners
For Prospective Puppy Buyers
- Show-line puppies cost more for a reason. Expect to pay $2,500-$5,000+ for a puppy from champion show lines, compared to $800-$1,500 from pet-line breeders. The premium reflects health testing costs (OFA evaluations run $50-$200 per screening, DNA panels $150-$400), show campaign expenses (a single show weekend can cost $500-$1,500 in entry fees, travel, and professional handling), and the breeder's investment in genetic quality.
- Ask for OFA and DNA health clearances. Reputable show breeders will provide documentation of hip/elbow evaluations, cardiac exams, ophthalmologist certifications, and breed-relevant DNA tests. These should be viewable on the OFA website by searching the dog's registered name.
- Show temperament is a feature, not a bug. Dogs from show lines are often selected for environmental stability and confidence — traits that translate well to active households, therapy dog work, and multi-pet homes.
For Owners Curious About Their Own Dog's Structure
- Assess your dog's topline. Stand your dog on a flat surface in a natural stacked position (front legs straight under shoulders, rear legs perpendicular to the ground). The topline (line from withers to tail) should match your breed's standard — level for Labs, sloping for German Shepherds, slightly arched for Whippets.
- Check gait at a trot. Walk or jog your dog on-leash at a moderate pace. Watch from the front and rear: legs should move in straight columns without crossing, paddling (swinging outward), or weaving. From the side, look for smooth, ground-covering strides without excessive bounce.
- Understand that pet dogs don't need show conformation. Minor structural deviations that would be penalized in the ring rarely affect a pet dog's quality of life. Focus on maintaining healthy weight (body condition score 4-5 out of 9) and regular exercise rather than worrying about perfect angulation.
When Conformation Extremes Signal Health Problems
While conformation judging generally promotes structural soundness, certain breed trends have raised legitimate veterinary concerns. Owners of brachycephalic breeds should be aware that extreme skull shortening is associated with BOAS, which can cause exercise intolerance, heat stroke risk, sleep apnea, and chronic respiratory distress. Signs that conformation has crossed into a health problem include:
- Audible breathing at rest — snoring, snorting, or wheezing when the dog is calm and cool
- Exercise intolerance disproportionate to fitness level — a young, otherwise healthy dog that cannot sustain moderate activity for 15-20 minutes
- Tongue and gum color changes — blue or purple mucous membranes (cyanosis) indicate oxygen deprivation and require immediate veterinary attention
- Heat sensitivity — brachycephalic dogs can develop heat stroke at temperatures that would not affect mesocephalic or dolichocephalic breeds
If your dog exhibits any of these signs, consult your veterinarian. Surgical interventions such as soft palate resection and nostril widening (alar fold resection) can significantly improve quality of life for dogs with severe BOAS. Costs typically range from $2,000-$6,000 depending on the procedures required and geographic location.
Similarly, extreme angulation in breeds like the German Shepherd Dog has been linked to increased risk of hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that hip dysplasia prevalence varies significantly by breed and breeding program, with rates in poorly bred German Shepherds reaching 20-40% compared to under 5% in dogs from rigorously health-tested lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do dogs get examined so closely at Westminster?
Judges physically examine each dog to verify structural traits that cannot be assessed visually alone. They palpate the topline to check for spinal alignment and muscling, examine dentition to verify correct bite, check coat texture and density, and in males, verify that both testicles are properly descended. This hands-on examination ensures that dogs are not merely groomed to appear correct but actually possess the underlying structure their breed standard requires.
Can any dog breed compete at Westminster?
Only breeds fully recognized by the American Kennel Club can compete in the Westminster conformation competition. As of 2025, the AKC recognizes over 200 breeds. Dogs must have earned their AKC Championship (CH) title and typically need to be among the top-ranked dogs in their breed nationally to receive an invitation. Mixed-breed dogs and non-AKC-recognized breeds are not eligible for the conformation competition, though Westminster does offer separate agility and obedience events open to all dogs.
How do judges decide between two excellent dogs?
When two dogs are both close to their breed standard, judges look at subtle differences: which dog has better breed "type" (the overall impression that makes the dog unmistakably a member of its breed), which moves more efficiently, and which presents with better temperament and condition. At the Best in Show level, judges are comparing dogs across breeds, which makes the evaluation even more subjective — they must decide which dog is the best representative of its own standard, then compare those representatives against each other.
Is the Westminster Dog Show winner really the "best dog"?
The Westminster Best in Show winner is the dog that the final judge believes most closely matches its breed standard among the group winners that day. It is not a measure of intelligence, trainability, loyalty, or suitability as a pet. A different judge, on a different day, with a different lineup, could easily select a different winner. The title reflects peak conformation excellence within a specific competitive context — not an absolute ranking of canine worth.
What does it cost to campaign a dog to Westminster?
Campaigning a show dog to Westminster-level rankings is extraordinarily expensive. Professional handler fees typically run $75-$150 per show plus expenses, with top handlers charging $100-$200 per class win. A competitive campaign year involves 30-60 shows, travel across multiple states, professional grooming (which can cost $50-$150 per show for coated breeds), advertising in breed publications, and veterinary maintenance. Total annual campaign costs for a top-ranked dog frequently reach $50,000-$150,000, with some high-profile campaigns exceeding $250,000.
How is conformation judging different from humans evaluating physical traits?
Canine conformation judging evaluates functional structure against a written breed standard designed to preserve working ability. Human physical evaluation (in pageants or otherwise) is largely aesthetic and subjective. A conformation judge can measure a dog's height, count its teeth, and assess its joint angles — objective metrics that are then compared against specific standard requirements. The evaluation has a clear purpose: breed preservation and functional soundness.
Robin Maitland
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
