Plus , a " teaser " of Westminster ’s hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary .
Jamie McCarthy / Westminster Kennel Club
2025 label the 149th twelvemonth of the Westminster Dog Show , the second - longest - running sporting consequence in the U.S. For such an event to stand the test of time , its leading must have — and be able to execute — a strong vision .
Photo:Jamie McCarthy / Westminster Kennel Club
We talked to Westminster Kennel Club ( WKC ) president Dr. Donald Sturz about his goal and ambitiousness for the future of the Westminster Dog Show and what changes he ’s already aid bring to realization .
From Junior Showman to President
Sturz has been President of the United States of the WKC since 2022 , but his history with cad show up yoke decades . As a youngster , Sturz was a regular at Westminster , competing in the Junior Showmanship competition as a handler with his family’sgolden retrieverClyde every twelvemonth begin at the long time of ten .
After " retiring " from handling , Sturz transition into adjudication and was ultimately invite to judge at Westminster , where he ’s guess a total of ten clock time . Sturz was at last name Westminster ’s salutary in Show judge in 2022 , where he made history by selectingTrumpet the bloodhoundas the first - everbloodhoundto win Best in Show at Westminster .
Just a few short months after his stint as Best in Show judge , Sturz was charge as president of the WKC .
" Because of my prospicient history with Westminster on so many unlike levels , it kind of deposit me to be able to take this leaders role and to pack Westminster ahead into the future , " Sturz articulate . " I ’m so esteemed to have that chance . "
Making Westminster Accessible
With a few Westminster Dog Shows under his belt , Sturz mull on his outstanding end as well as WKC ’s most recent wins .
" One of the matter that Westminster desire to do was seek to get back into New York City , " Sturz says " We had been displaced , as everyone had to make out with — COVID had made us pivot — so we foundoutdoor locale in Terrytown . Then , we got a little closer . We were at the ( Billie Jean King National ) Tennis Center , and now here we are back home in New York City at the Javits Center and our original dwelling house ofMadison Square Garden . "
Bringing the Dog Show back to the city help make it more accessible . So does an elevated online mien , another priority of Club leadership and something Sturz calls " Westminster 365 . "
" Another thing that we ’ve put a lot of effort into is expanding Westminster ’s presence so that it ’s more than just a one - prison term - a - twelvemonth outcome , but that it ’s something that people can interact with and lease with all year long , " Sturz says . " We ’ve really expanded our societal spiritualist presence and did a complete overhaul onour websitethat ’s much more drug user favorable and much more piquant . "
Sturz Turns Nose Up at Elitism
Perhaps Sturz ' gravid goal as President of the United States is to dispel the air of elitism that tends to surround dog display by redefine what elite means at Westminster .
" the great unwashed may have the misperception that there ’s this air of elitism about the event and the governance , and I want to distinguish between that and the fact that it ’s an elite event , " Sturz suppose . " Yes , this is the top champions in the world coming to compete — it is the most iconic event of the twelvemonth for click sports . At the same meter , I want the message to be that although it ’s an elite event , everyone ’s invited . If you sleep with dogs , we want you here at Westminster . "
Westminster Turns 150 in 2026
For all our dog devotee out there , there ’s still plenty ofthis year ’s Westminster Weekleft to enjoy , but it ’s never too late to begin make plans for 2026 — the hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary of Westminster . And the surprises in store for next class are so majuscule , Sturz pick out to keep them close to the vest .
" I call back the element of surprise is really important when you throw a party , " Sturz says .
You heard the man ! It ’s going to be a political party !
