Adorable pooches from across the country pranced into Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan to kick off the 143rd Westminster Dog Show.
About 330 hounds will compete in the American Kennel Club’s agility contest Saturday, ahead of the official event beginning Monday. Some 3,200 dogs proudly representing 190 breeds are expected to show next week.
Breeds at the Saturday show ranged from the scruffy Scottish Deerhound to the dreadlocked Bergamesco, Boxers in Valentine’s Day costumes and Cairn Terriers.
Lisa Topel, a Manhattan-based copywriter, ran a practice run on the obstacle course with her 13-year-old all-American mix, Schmutzy, on Saturday.
“We knocked over a bar, that’s not good,” Topel said, adding, “she’s pretty amazing for 13.”
Connecticut dog handler Debbie Studwell was setting up camp with her two fluffy black Schipperkes, Coral and Indie, while Pennsylvania homemaker Andrea Baines and her family made the trip to celebrate her daughter’s sixth birthday.
“My kids love dogs,” she remarked.
Fox will air the agility contest Sunday afternoon and the official show Monday and Tuesday evening on Fox Sports.