Westminster Dog show competitions

The first Westminster show took place on May 8, 1877, making it second only to the Kentucky Derby, in terms of continuously held sporting events in the United States. (Both events were held despite the Great Depression, World War, and pandemic years.) The show originated as a show for gun dogs, primarily Setters and Pointers, initiated by a group of hunters who met regularly at the Westminster Hotel at Irving Place and Sixteenth Street in Manhattan.[2] They decided to create a kennel club called the Westminster Kennel Club specifically to hold a dog show. The prizes for these first shows included such items as pearl-handled pistols, which were of use to the hunters and terriermen who worked these dogs in the field. Source:  https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/

First 10 AKC Grand Champions in Each Breed-Receive Special Medallion

[Tuesday, July 06, 2010]

- First-Ever AKC Grand Champion "Stoli" Recognized at Oklahoma Dog Show - In recognition of the newest American Kennel Club® Grand Champion conformation title, a special blue enamel AKC Medallion will be sent to the owners of the first 10 Grand Champion title holders in each AKC-recognized breed to mark this historic achievement. To kick off the Grand Champion medallion program Director of AKC Event Management Michael Canalizo, joined by AKC Board Member Lee Arnold and Executive Field Representative Sue Vroom, made a special presentation to the first-ever Grand Champion, GCH Monterra’s Best Bet, MH, a 4-year-old Weimaraner affectionately known as "Stoli" bred and owned by Elizabeth Krupinski and co-owned by Timothy Bintner of Elizabeth, Colorado and handled by Tad Walden. Stoli received a special gold AKC Medallion at the Oklahoma City Kennel Club show on July 2, 2010.

Westminster Dog Show 2011

The Westminster Dog Show is one of the premier competitions in the US. According to the official website, six breeds will be making their Westminster debuts in 2011 now that they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club and made eligible for competition in conformation shows.

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/photogalleries/westminster/