TOY 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: Pekingese (2021)

Most Group wins – 28

Pekingese

Most consecutive Group wins – 3

Pomeranian (1926-1928), Pekingese (2003-2005)

Most Group placements – 71 (2023)

Pekingese

Most consecutive Group placements – 12

Pekingese (1924-1935)

Current streak of Group placements – 3

Havanese (2019-2021)

PLACEMENTS

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

NOTES:

• A Long coat Chihuahua was first mentioned in the catalog in 1951, competing in a separate class within the breed. In 1953, it became a separate Variety and the winner advanced to the Toy Group.
• The Japanese Chin was known as the Japanese Spaniel from 1877-1977.
• The Maltese was known as Maltese Skye Terrier and Maltese Terrier from 1879-1917, but was always considered a Toy breed. The Terrier designation was dropped from its name in 1918.
• The Toy Manchester Terrier was known as the Black and Tan Toy Terrier or Toy Black and Tan Terrier from 1925-1933.
• The Miniature Pinscher was probably the dog known by several names (Reh Pinscher, Zwerg Pinscher, Toy Pinscher, Dwarf Pinscher, Deer Pinscher) with entries in the Miscellaneous Class between 1911 and 1929. In 1930, it appeared at Westminster for the first time as a Miniature Pinscher and competed in the Terrier Group, but was moved to the Toy Group in 1931.
• The Pekingese was known as the Pekinese Spaniel from 1907-1909, and became the Pekingese in 1910.