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The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is the most prestigious show in the United States and its first show was held in 1877. The first year Boston Terriers were eligible to compete at Westminster was in 1894. In the early years, they only gave out 1st, 2nd and 3rd places (no 4th) and it was just classes for dogs and classes for bitches. Later they awarded reserve, and even later, Best of Breed and they also had classes called "Free For All", "Limit" and a "Specials Only" class was added for champions. Among the remaining dogs in the ring, some dogs and bitches were awarded a "C", an "HC" and a "VHC". These stood for Commended, Highly Commended and Very Highly Commended. One thing of interest is that most of the dogs entered have a sale price after their names. Some say "not for sale". It was customary to sell some of these dogs at the show. This seemed to fall out of favor as time went on (thankfully). They also offered cash prizes for wins. By 1927, they started awarding Best of Breed, usually stating it as "Best Boston Terrier".
Below are the Boston Terrier entries for 1894, the first year they competed at Westminster.
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 Depiction of the first Westminster in 1877 |
 Written "Diplomas" were given to winners in 1900 |
Westminster 1970's
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It's an honor to show your dog at Westminster, and it's career changing for a dog to win Best of Breed there, not to mention life-changing for the owner, breeder and handler of the dog! Quite a few Bostons (especially in the early years) have gone on to place in the group at Westminster, however, after Ch. Star Q's Brass Buttons won a Group 1 in 1970, the group wins for Bostons really fell off, only seeing an occasional Boston place in the group. See Buttons' Group 1 picture below, shown by the famous Boston Breeder Harry Clasen. Buttons was owned by Dr. K Eileen Hite. I saw him at the Garden in 1978 when they brought back past big winners for a special exhibition and I have pictures of him that I took being shown by George Rood. He was 10 years old and still looked great. He had a famous Best In Show brother, Ch Star Q's Pease Knutu "Peanuts" also owned by Dr. K. Eileen Hite of NYC. He was shown by George Rood and his wife who I met at one of the all-breed shows. George Rood's wife was very kind to me and gave me a picture of Peanuts going BIS at the show we met at. I still have the picture. He was a much flashier dog than his brother Buttons and did a lot of winning (BIS at the big Detroit Kennel Club show among others), but he was not the sire that his brother Buttons was. Buttons was the sire of my then favorite bitch Ch. Joree's Evadne Theodosia "Cydnee". She was the first bitch to get an all-breed BIS with natural ears in an era where most dogs still had cropped ears. The great Joe Faigel with the judge. I was so happy for owners Joan Eckert and Lorena Pepe! I made sure to get a picture of me holding her at the 1978 Westminster show!
 Buttons winning the group at Westminster in 1970 |
 Another great win photo of Buttons at Westminster |
 The legendary AKC Photographer Rudolph Tauskey's picture of Buttons |
I went to my first Westminster show in 1976, then again in 1978 and one of my dogs (Lily) was shown there in 2002. Westminster has gone back and forth over whether class dogs may be shown there or if it is to be an AKC champion only show. When I showed in the 70's, class dogs were allowed. I went reserve in 1976 with my dog Chris and also reserve in 1978 with my dog Gryphon. I was up against some dogs from very longtime breeders, so a I was proud of my two Westminster reserves. In 2002, we got an Award of Merit with our Ch. Elite's Little Miss revlon "Lily". So thrilled and happy to be one of only two given that year! Currently as of this writing, it is a champions-only show and I doubt that will change in the future.
 Me showing my dog Commands Gay Specialty at Westminster in 1976, Reserve Winners Dog |
 Me in the specials ring in 1978 with my Am Can Ch Commands Gay Specialty. Ch. Joree's Evadne Theodosia is 2nd from the left behind me. |
 Me with my first homebred Champion Brindle Hill's Gryphon going reserve in 1978. |
 Our Ch. Elite's Little Miss Revlon, AOM Westminster 2002 The only other AOM given this year was to the #1 Boston in the country, so we were in great company! |
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The year 1976 was Westminster's 100th anniversary. Since I exhibited that year, I received a commemorative book and a lovely bronze medallion, all shown below. The book had photos of all the breeds and the dog representing the Boston Terrier in the book was Ch. Beau Kay's Gay Chappie "Scotty". He was owned by Mrs. Walter (Kay) M. Jeffords and Mr Michael Wolf and was born in 1970. He was among the first of many dogs from this famous owner/handler team. He was shown at the 1974 Westminster show and went Breed at the 1975 show.
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Until recently when Westminster moved its show out of Madison Square Garden for 2 years, it was always a "benched show", which means that the kennel club required all of the dogs entered to stay on assigned benches the entire time of the show unless they were exhibiting (showing), exercising (going potty) or being prepared to show (groomed). This was so fellow exhibitors, breeders and spectators could view and discuss the attributes and qualities of the dogs and meet each other. Westminster is a two day show and was always held in February (around Valentine's Day). Dogs entered had to be present for both days. They were allowed to leave at night but only with a deposit that is returned when the dog returned the next day. That way, spectators that come for the second day of the show have just as much of a chance of seeing all of the dogs entered. Benches are generally partitioned off stalls. They are marked for each individual dog with the breed and identification number of the dog. So it's a long day for the dogs and their owners sitting at the benches with their dogs. You could hire a guard to stay with your dog if you needed a breather and you didn't have a fellow exhibitor nearby that you knew who could watch your dog. Because of COVID, the 2021-2022 Westminster show was held in June, outdoors, at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, NY (unbenched). Before that, it was held at the Piers for breed judging, then back to Madison Square Garden for the group and Best in Show judging. And before that, the full show was held at the Garden. Here are some pictures of the benching area at Westminster (pictures used by permission from Patty Alleman, Kathryn Graves and Brittany Cipriotti):
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Part of the reason Westminster is so special is that it is a VERY hard one to win. It's all about UPSETS! That means you may have the top dog, or a dog you think is the best quality compared to all others, but even though it may be the favorite, it still doesn't win the breed. There are so many factors that go into winning at this show, conditions when showing at the Garden can be punishing on a non-seasoned dog such as the noise level from the stands booming down onto the dogs in the ring, huge hot crowds of excited people and most importantly the nerves of the handler. This show is uber-important, so even some of the most seasoned handlers can feel some nerves. This translates directly to the dog and that perfect little showman or showgirl that you have can turn into a different, more unpredictable dog which can cost you the win. You simply cannot win this show unless your dog performs FLAWLESSLY and the handler stays calm. You can't just have a great dog at this level, you have to have a dog that completely shows his or her heart out and who never puts a foot down wrong on top of everything even in the worst of conditions. THAT'S what Westminster is all about - a dog has to put on a show and have a perfect rapport with its handler!
One of the best examples of a Boston Terrier who has all these elusive qualities, the epitome of a great showdog - is Candice Waters and Charlie and Darlus Gerson's 2019 Westminster Best of Breed winning bitch Ch. Candar's Too Hot To Handle GCG, ROM "Bridget". She was 3 years old when she won Westminster and was bred by Candice Waters and Charlie and Darlus Gerson. I consider her to be one of the most magnificent bitches of all time! My words to describe her head is that it is "dripping in diamonds". If anyone wants to know what kind of head to strive for in their breeding program, this is it. Her expression is so soft and all girl - she has the correct amount of padding in all the right places, and the head is a soft square. She has everything that the standard calls for and has correct head to body type, something extremely hard to get since our breed has the extremes of Bulldog and terrier behind them. This is something that you have to get the perfect balance of to meet the standard. Bridget has all of this and also moves beautifully because she is made right. She is also the ultimate showgirl with 100% of her attention on her handler Candice and she gives everything she has, calling attention to herself in front of every judge. You can't miss the show she puts on! Her attitude is "I'm interested in everything going on! What's the next adventure?" She is a bitch who fills up my eyes and my heart, and it's hard for me to even think about her without feeling very emotional. I feel so lucky to have lived in an era where she was being shown and I got to see her MAGNIFICENCE. It's really the only word I have to describe her. I was so thrilled when Candice called me just a few minutes after she won the Garden! We were all so happy!
 Candice and Bridget waiting on their bench at Westminster, 2019 |
 Bridget has such a special rapport with her breeder/owner/handler Candice! This is what you need to compete at Westminster! |
And THAT'S how you get pulled out first for the Breed at Westminster! Just look at her!
 And YOU are Best of Breed!! Oh yes Bridget, it IS exciting to win at this level, isn't it? You worked hard for it! |
 Did I really do that Mommy and Daddy? |
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Watch how Bridget's Westminster Best Of Breed win played out here! |
Lights, cameras ACTION! On to the group!
 Go Bridget, GO!! |
 Turning on her pefect stack on a loose lead - No worries here that she will move at a critical moment - she knows what she's doing! |
 Looking breathtaking in all her glory! |
 Boston Terrier Of The Year, Boston Terrier Club Of America, 2018 |
2019 Westminster Best Of Breed winner
2019 BTCA National Select Bitch
2019 BTCA Regional Best of Breed Winner
2018 BTCA Boston Terrier Of The Year
2018 Best of Breed Thanksgiving day dog show, televised
2018 BOS and Best Bred-By Exhibitor AKC National Dog Show in Florida
2017 Select and Best Bred-By Exhibitor AKC National Dog Show in Florida
71 Best Of Breeds
10 specialty wins
2 Group 1
4 Group 2
6 Group 3
6 Group 4
She is a Grand Champion Silver level winner
Bridget is also the dam of 9 beautiful champions!
1. GCH CH Candar's Horses Gone Wild (2019 born DOG, by GCHP CH Ken's N' Roobarb N' The Horse Ya Rode In On)
2. CH Candar's Lightning Strikes Twice (2019 born BITCH, by GCHP CH Ken's N' Roobarb N' The Horse Ya Rode In On)
3. CH Candar's Hot Legs (2020 born BITCH, by GCHP CH Ken's N' Roobarb N' The Horse Ya Rode In On)
4. CH Candar's Greased Lightning (2020 born DOG, by GCHP CH Ken's N' Roobarb N' The Horse Ya Rode In On)
5. CH Candar's Iconic Monster (2021 born DOG, by GCH CH Candar's Fame Monster
6. CH Candar's No Doubt (2021 born BITCH, by GCH CH Candar's Fame Monster
7. CH Candar's Golden Girl (2022 born BITCH, by GCH CH Candar's Sparks A-Flyin
8. CH Candar's Silver Lining (2022 born DOG, by GCH CH Candar's Sparks A-Flyin
9. CH Candar's Flying Monster (2022 born BITCH, by GCH CH Candar's Sparks A-Flyin
Here is the pedigree that made beautiful Bridget:
only 3 dogs have done it 3 years in a row. Below are pictures of these few great dogs and the years that they won
Ch Mighty Sweet Regardless
BOB 1945 (from the classes) BOB 1947 and BOB 1948.
She is also only one of two dogs who placed in the group each year the breed was won!
Her group wins were: 1945 Group 4 (as a class bitch), 1947 Group 1 and 1948 Group 1
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BOB 1960, 1961 and 1962 (3 consecutive years)
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Ch. Jeffords' Abigail
BOB 1977, 1978 (I was there!) and 1979 (3 consecutive years)
I had this ad hanging on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager!
As lovely as she looks in these, I have never seen a picture of her that
did her justice. I felt like I had met a glamorous movie star when I first saw her.
I have some beautiful slides I took of her somewhere..
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Ch Albelarm Special Too
BOB 1984 1985 and 1987 (also Group 2 in 1987)
"Tony" was a small, snappy little dog that showed like a million bucks and
never put a foot down wrong. I took pictures of him when he was first being shown.
His father Jiggs was BOB at Westminster in 1983. Michael Wolf told me that Jiggs
was the better producer and Tony was the better showdog.
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Here is Tony's Pedigree:
Ch Barra’s Highland Lassie
BOB 1992 1993 and 1995
"Sara" floated around the ring and had hand-painted markings - a vision of loveliness!
She was shown by Jodi Ghaster-Longmire and was owned and bred by Elisabeth McNeil.
She also won the Boston Terrier National three times, the last time was from the Veterans
Class (she also won the regional as a veteran that year too!)
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Here is Sara's Pedigree:
GCHP2 Sabe’s Simply Invincible
Westminster BOB 2016, 2017 and 2018 (3 consecutive years)
Each year he won the breed, he also placed in the group.
Westminster 2016 - Group 4, 2017 - Group 2 and 2018 Group 3
What can be said about the top winning Boston of all time?
Vinny did it all - and more! Over 100 all Breed Best In Shows
#1 Non-Sporting dog 2015 and 2016
Top 10 All Breeds. Bred by Sharon Saberton (a friend of mine
since the 1970's!) Sharon has bred two
other Westminster BOB dogs
(1991) Ch. Beacon's Do-Go Sunny Of Sabe
and (2021) Ch. Sabe's The Sky's The Limit.
Photos used by permission from Sharon Saberton.
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Bonus! Here's Vinny winning his 100th All-Breed Best In Show!
Longtime breeder Sharon Saberton was there! (right end)
Here is Vinny's Pedigree:
To my knowledge, this is the only family of Bostons to do this! My dogs Beka and Bindi
have this consecutive winning line of dogs in their pedigrees not too far back.
Listing Of All Boston Terriers Who Won Best Of Breed At The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Pre 1927 and some 1930’s - only winners dog and winners bitch were awarded (not included here)
* indicates that this dog won BOB at Westminster 3 times.
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