Dog Show Goes Streaming: Westminster Joins Netflix

The famous dog competition in New York will be seen on the internet next year. Netflix has taken over from Fox Sports, which had shown the event for ten years. The change happens after the 150th edition that celebrated a big milestone. The show starts in February 2027 and will be streamed live from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for daytime matches. Evening rounds, where judges pick winners, will be shown from Madison Square Garden on Netflix’s platform. A special “Canine Celebration” event, which includes a Masters Agility contest, will be recorded on January 30 and released later. The Westminster Kennel Club says this partnership will reach new viewers worldwide. They hope to grow interest in dog sports and bring more people into the community of handlers, fans, and pet lovers.

The 151st show will feature over 3, 000 dogs from about 200 breeds. Each dog competes in a group before the final “Best in Show” at Madison Square Garden on February 2. A veteran judge, Espen Engh, who has judged in more than a hundred countries, will decide the top prize. The group judges for the first night include Ken Murray (Hounds), Sei‑ichiro Ishimaru (Toys), Patricia Sosa (Non‑Sporting), and Marilyn VanVleit (Herding). The second night’s judges are Kathy Lorentzen (Sporting), Dana Cline (Working), and Clay Coady (Terriers). Winners of each group advance to the final. On the same day as the main event, a Junior Showmanship contest will take place. It highlights young people who train dogs and compete. Netflix will stream the finals, where Lisa Gallizzo will award the best junior handler. This shift to streaming means fans can watch from home or on mobile devices, making the event more accessible than ever before.

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