What we learned hanging out with some of Westminster’s top dogs |
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| Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos courtesy of Katherine Bernardin, Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter |
Every year, thousands of elite show dogs — all with perfectly coiffed manes and a trail of prize ribbons — arrive in New York City to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Among them: Nick, a Tibetan spaniel with gorgeous, floofy curls and a miniature longhaired dachshund named Breezy.
Ahead of tomorrow’s Best in Show crowning, pets expert Mel Plaut hung out with top dogs (and their human handlers) to steal their beauty secrets: How, exactly, do these show dogs achieve their finest flowing locks, bristly coats, blown-out brows, and manicured beards?
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Plus: Is it possible your dog wants to wear clothes? |
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| Annemarie Conte/NYT Wirecutter |
When your dog’s hanging out indoors, casual clothes, like sweaters and T-shirts, aren’t necessary for temperature control. But perhaps they’d like a wardrobe anyway? Deputy editor Annemarie Conte (and her dog, Buddy) investigated.
“I never thought I’d be someone who puts clothes on my dog. But here we are”→
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One last thing: Celebrities, they’re just like us |
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| Mel Plaut/NYT Wirecutter |
Here’s Monty, the giant schnauzer who took the top prize in 2025, taking a mid-interview nap. Same, Monty. Same.
Yes, some Westminster dogs still have day jobs.
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