Dog show 101: What's what at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show

Trumpet, a bloodhound, winner of the146th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, with handler, co-breeder and co-owner Heather Buehner (also known as Heather Helmer) at Tavern on the Green, in New York, on June 23, 2022. Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer

Thousands of dogs started competing Monday (June 20) towards the best in show prize at the illustrious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (June 18-22, at Lyndhurst Estate, Tarrytown New York).

To the casual viewer, the annual exhibition of dressed-up handlers leading well-mannered dogs around a ring might seem like a stilted walk in the park, but there's more than that to choosing a champion. So here's some show lowdown: