Westminster Cares: 150 Years of Canine Commitment

For 150 years, The Westminster Kennel Club has embraced the belief that meaningful support of all dogs begins long before they ever step onto the green carpet. This enduring commitment has been marked by over a century of steady contributions across the broader canine world, with the club supporting veterinary education, breed outreach, breed rescue efforts, Junior Showmanship, and more. These activities help fulfill Westminster’s core mission: celebrating the companionship of dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership, canine health, and breed preservation. Guided by an overarching dedication to dogs and the goal of creating a better world for all canines, Westminster’s charitable work has since continued to evolve under the umbrella of its Westminster Cares initiatives.

Community

First, stepping back in time to 1876, we look to the Westminster Hotel in New York City, where the earliest inklings of the club began to take shape. The gentlemen who met in this storied hotel would go on to host the “First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs” after admiring the successes of the first dog shows abroad and in the U.S. With over 1,200 dogs entered, the inaugural show was such a success that an additional day of competition was added, turning the three-day event into four. All proceeds from the additional fourth day were donated to the ASPCA to open a home for stray and disabled dogs in New York. With the first instance of Westminster, a relationship and precedent were established: Westminster would not just be a dog show, it would be an organization committed to improving the lives of all dogs.

Since then, philanthropic efforts have remained a central part of The Westminster Kennel Club’s mission. In 1982, along with legendary dog fancier Frank Sabella, The Westminster Kennel Club became the first to donate art to the AKC Museum of the Dog. Located in New York City, the museum celebrates the bond between canines and humans through art, showcasing these pieces to thousands of visitors a year, and promoting the invaluable companionship between humans and dogs. WKC has also supported modern art initiatives, collaborating with New York City-based art schools, including the Pratt Institute and the New York Academy of Art, to host an annual art contest from 2011 through 2018. The winning art became the commemorative dog show poster, with designs from other finalists adorning note cards. The proceeds from this initiative were donated to several local organizations.

In 2019, a partnership with the American Heart Association was formed, focusing on the research-based fact that dog ownership improves people’s physical health and emotional well-being. Additionally, since 2020, WKC has supported Purina’s Purple Leash Project, an initiative that collaborates with Red Rover. At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, many exhibitors wear purple ribbon pins in support of this project, which works to help domestic abuse victims and their pets find stability and safety at pet-friendly shelters.

Canine Health and Well-being

As one of the oldest, mission-based organizations dedicated to dogs, The Westminster Kennel Club has been staunch in its commitment to improving the health and well-being of all canines, whether cherished pet, show dog, or displaced dog. Beginning in 1987, the WKC Veterinary Scholarships program was launched with six schools participating: Cornell University, Michigan State University, Tufts University, Tuskegee University, the University of California at Davis, and the University of Pennsylvania. These scholarships have totaled over $4.8 million to date, making an instrumental difference in the paths of young veterinary students and professionals. In 2017, an additional Westminster Kennel Club Endowment Fund was established at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health.

Westminster is also committed to veterinary outreach, establishing the Veterinarian of the Year award in 2022, which celebrates veterinary professionals who demonstrate excellence in their canine community. This award has included a $10,000 annual donation to organizations that support the mental health of veterinarians. Since its inception, this initiative has continued to evolve with the establishment of Westminster’s first Resident Veterinarian, Dr. Treyton Diggs of Boutte, Louisiana. The recipient of the 2024 Veterinarian of the Year Award, Dr. Diggs now uses his position as Resident Veterinarian to serve as a trusted authority and valuable resource within the canine community.

In 2019, FOX and Westminster partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to produce a video series offering expert advice on canine health issues. These videos were included in Westminster Dog Show programming, spreading awareness of common health issues and promoting responsible dog ownership. Additionally, Westminster supports the AKC Canine Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization that has been instrumental in advancing canine preventative and treatment-based research, impacting the health and wellness of all canines.

Canine Companionship

Promoting responsible dog ownership and canine companionship, Westminster has been committed to breed outreach, offering resources in breed matching, education, and rescue efforts. There is no bond like that between a human and their canine companion. Westminster has been dedicated to supporting therapy dogs through organizations such as Angel on a Leash, Project HEAL for wounded military members, and NY-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital; service dogs through Seeing Eye, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, and the Warrior Canine Connection; working dogs through donations to organizations such as the National Association of Search and Rescue; and military dogs during wartime with donations to the American Red Cross, Dogs for Defense, and the National War Fund.

Breed Education

One of the best ways to create a better world for canine companions and their human counterparts is to ensure proper breed matching and education. Westminster is dedicated to empowering individuals with relevant and trusted information and has continued to evolve in outreach efforts. Most recently, thanks to a new initiative, the Westminster website now includes an extensive Breed Finder. Packed with breed-specific information from trusted experts, users can search by size, weight, energy level, trainability, coat shedding, and more, offering a way to research potential breeds and choose the right fit. We encourage all dog enthusiasts, expert or newcomer, to check out this extensive new tool and share it with those who may be looking to add to their pack or endeavor on the journey of dog ownership.

In addition to the Breed Finder, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a unique opportunity to find the right breed for you. As one of the few remaining benched shows, all dogs and exhibitors are at the show and accessible to spectators throughout the day. This is a rare and invaluable opportunity to consult with breed experts on temperament, activity level, and more, and to find your perfect match while establishing connections with breeders worldwide.

Westminster’s outreach efforts also go beyond the dog show to social media. Throughout the year, the WKC social channels post helpful tips for breed matching, breed fun facts, historical tidbits, and canine health information. Additionally, the WKC YouTube channel features historical highlights and video series, including Dog Show 101 and Road to Westminster. Each series offers a behind-the-scenes look at dog show life and the dedicated exhibitors whose dreams become reality on the famed green carpet.

Breed Rescue

Along with the more sweeping outreach endeavors, Westminster has also supported individual breed club rescues since 2018. Through the Westminster Breed Rescue Awards, the club annually grants three AKC-recognized National Breed Clubs $5,000 each to support their rescue work. These organizations, run entirely by dedicated volunteers, focus on protecting, rescuing, and rehoming dogs of their respective breeds. Their efforts are remarkable, providing crucial care and second chances to dogs in need of forever homes. These awards help to offset necessary rescue-related expenses such as transportation, veterinary care, grooming, boarding, feeding, and training. The 2026 recipients are the Bichon Frisé Club of America, the Dalmatian Club of America, and the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club. These clubs will each continue to make immense differences in the lives of their breeds and beyond.

Dog Sport Support

For Westminster to fully realize its mission, the club must look to those who will continue to carry its legacy forward. Since 1934, with the introduction of the first Children’s Handling Grand Challenge Trophy, Westminster has been steadfastly committed to the future of dog fanciers. This competition evolved into the modern Junior Showmanship competition we recognize today, and Westminster has remained one of its key champions since.

Junior Showmanship is a competition that celebrates the skills of the handler, each between the ages of nine and 18, rather than the conformation of the dog. The junior handler is judged on their breed-specific handling skills, poise, ring procedure, and more. Many Junior Showmanship judges were past junior handlers themselves or are dedicated all-breed judges, handlers, or breeders. They each hold a deep understanding of the nuance of Junior Showmanship and its role in the future of our sport. The Junior Showmanship competition at Westminster is the pinnacle within the sport. Junior handlers compete throughout the year with the ultimate goal of an invitation or “golden ticket” to Westminster. The competition averages around 100 entrants and offers over $25,000 in scholarships annually to finalists. To date, these scholarships have totaled $232,000 and are used by junior handlers of all backgrounds for post-secondary schooling.

In addition to Junior Showmanship, Westminster offers support to the AKC European Junior Agility Team. This award has helped cover travel expenses for the team representing the United States in international dog agility competitions. In support of dog sports beyond conformation, WKC began awarding donations to the training clubs of the Masters Agility Champion and the Masters Obedience Champion in 2018. Westminster has also donated to organizations, including the Professional Handlers Association, Dog Fanciers Club of America, Owner Handlers Association of America, and Take the Lead, all of which work to support dog fanciers in their time of need. These charitable efforts support the clubs and organizations that work to encourage newcomers and seasoned pros alike, all of whom are crucial to the future of dog sports.

Since its inception, the heart of The Westminster Kennel Club has been rooted in commitment to giving back to the community and canines whose partnership makes the annual event possible. For 150 years, Westminster has remained steadfast in its dedication to canine excellence, balancing philanthropy with outreach in support of its mission to celebrate the companionship of dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership, canine health, and breed preservation. From 1877 to today, that mission has remained constant, and Westminster will continue to champion canine companions nationwide for generations to come.

Review the complete collection of all Westminster Cares initiatives and donations on the website.