NON-SPORTING GROUP

DATE 1ST ENTERED

This date is determined by Westminster Kennel Club records and is somewhat arbitrary. It does not necessarily correspond with official recognition by the AKC nor with its standing as a separate breed or variety at Westminster. Rather it is usually when that breed is first named as such in the catalog and show records.

If the breed was shown somewhat consistently in the Miscellaneous Class before 1924, that goes to establish the “Date 1st Entered.” If shown in Miscellaneous Class in 1924 or after, it is noted but did not count until regular status is granted and the breed winner is eligible for Group and BIS competition. See Miscellaneous Breeds section.

BIS & GROUP PLACEMENTS

Best In Show has been awarded since 1907 (except for 1923) and Group competition has been held since 1924.

The column headings in each chart represent the number of Best In Show Awards and Group placements in each position. The year in parentheses in the “BIS” and “1” column represents the last year that this breed won BIS and the last year that it won the Group; the number in parentheses in one of the other columns represents the last year that the breed placed in the Group; if there is a year only in the “1” Group column, that means that the last time that the breed placed in the Group, it won the group. For example, a Pointer has won 3 BIS (the most recent in 1986), 14 Group 1 (most recent in 1989, 4 Group 2, 7 Group 3, and 5 Group 4 awards. The last time it placed in the Group was in 1998 with a Group 4.

AKC REGISTRATION

The 1888 Catalog is the first in which AKC Rules are included (adopted Dec 6, 1887). From Rule 2: “Every dog entered at any show held under these rules … must be registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. In case a dog has not been registered previous to date of entry, owner must fill out a registration blank and forward same, with fee of 50 cents, together with show entry to the Secretary of the Show, who shall mark the dog as registered and forward blank with registration fee to the Secretary of the American Kennel Club (The above to take effect January 1st, 1888).”

RECORDS

Best In Show wins – 12

Most recent: Standard Poodle (2020)

Most Group wins – 31 (2020)

Standard Poodle

Most consecutive Group wins – 4

Standard Poodle (1933-1936)

Most Group placements – 65 (2023)

Standard Poodle

Most consecutive Group placements – 11

Chow Chow (1932-1942)

Current streak of Group placements – 3

French Bulldog (2021-2023)

PLACEMENTS

Year in parentheses indicates the most recent year of the award.

* Moved to Working Group in 1936

NOTES:

• The Lhasa Apso competed in the Terrier Group as a Lhasa Terrier in 1936-1955, was first called the Lhasa Apso in 1944, then moved to the Non-Sporting Group in 1956.
• The Boxer competed in the Non-Sporting Group from 1924-1935, then was moved to the Working Group in 1936.
• Poodles have been exhibited virtually every year at Westminster since 1877, but through the years there have been many entries in the Miscellaneous Class of dogs that were described as some kind of Poodle (Spanish, Corded, Spanish Silk, Belgium, Black, Canniche, French, French Grey, Pointer, Wool).
• In 1912 the class for Poodles for the first time described entries as either Curly or Corded. Beginning in 1919, the breed (Variety) was called Poodles (Curly) and apparently, there would have been a separate variety called Poodles (Corded), but there were no Corded entries from 1919-1923. This is further reflected in the fact that the Non-Sporting Group had a slot for a Poodle (Corded) winner, but again, there were no Corded entries from 1924-1927. In 1928, the Variety was again called simply, Poodles.
• In 1931, Poodles had a class for “over 20 lbs.” In 1932 was the first mention of “Miniature, under 15 inches,” as well as a class for 15″ and over. The terms Standard and Miniature first appear in the Westminster catalog in 1934. Until 1940, one dog was selected simply as “Best Poodle” and that dog advanced into the Non-Sporting Group. In 1940, Best of Variety was awarded for both a Miniature Poodle and a Standard Poodle, and again only one of them was selected to go forward into the Non-Sporting Group. In 1942, a Miniature Poodle was chosen Best Poodle for the first time. Beginning in 1943, the winner of each variety advanced into the Group.