150th Westminster to Celebrate Past Champions with First Legends Presentation

Westminster Kennel Club will mark its 150th anniversary with a first-ever Westminster Legends presentation that honors past Best in Show champions and notable competitors. The presentation will bring returning champions back to the Madison Square Garden ring on Feb. 2, ahead of Group Judging, so fans and exhibitors can celebrate the dogs that have shaped Westminster’s legacy.

Confirmed participants for Westminster Legends include Monty, the Giant Schnauzer who won Best in Show in 2025; Siba, the Standard Poodle who captured Best in Show in 2020; and Bono, the Havanese who was Reserve Best in Show in 2019. These appearances are staged as a tribute to longevity, breeding lines, and the hands-on work of handlers and breeders who keep show-quality bloodlines moving forward.

The 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina Pro Plan, takes place in New York City from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. Organizers expect over 3,000 champion dogs to compete, representing all U.S. states, territories, and 17 countries. Best in Show will be announced live from Madison Square Garden on the evening of Feb. 3, and the event will air on FOX networks and streaming platforms for those who cannot attend in person.

For handlers, breeders, and longtime spectators, Westminster Legends offers a unique chance to see proven champions perform again and to assess the traits that carried those dogs to the top. For newer exhibitors and first-time attendees, Monty, Siba, and Bono provide visible examples of breed standard excellence and ring presence. The presentation also gives judges-in-training and amateur breeders a clear paw-spective on movement, coat condition, and ring craft that often decide top placements.

Logistics matter for anyone planning to attend: the Legends presentation is scheduled for Feb. 2 before Group Judging, so timing will affect entries, handling plans, and spectator access for that day. Madison Square Garden remains the focal point for the live spectacle, while remote viewers can watch the culmination of the show and Best in Show broadcast on Feb. 3.

Westminster Legends turns a milestone anniversary into a living history lesson, pairing nostalgia with practical takeaways for the show community. Whether you follow bloodlines, study ring technique, or simply love to see champions shine, the 150th Westminster will put past winners back in the spotlight and set the stage for a competitive, memory-filled weekend.