What Exactly IS a Dog Show? A Brief History

What exactly is a dog show, and who are the people that make it happen? Why do these events produce such unforgettable characters and such excellent comedy?

Join us as we pull back the show curtain and turn the spotlights towards our star-studded panel featuring Andrew Norman (Norm) Wilson (artist/author), Dr. Donald Sturz (President of the Westminster Kennel Club), and moderator Jess Bergman (Harper’s senior editor).

The evening will begin with a reading from Norm’s fiction feature “That Telltale Tingle” from the March issue of Harper’s Magazine. From there, the panel will dive into a conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes at a dog show and the unexpected moments that make this world so compelling. “That Telltale Tingle” offers a fictionalized glimpse into Westminster through the eyes of an artist and estranged insider, while Dr. Donald Sturz brings firsthand experience as a former Westminster Junior Showmanship Champion and current President of Westminster. Moderated by Jess Bergman, the discussion will also explore the surprising parallels between dog shows and the art world, where performance and passion collide, sometimes tumultuously.

You’ll leave with answers to questions you never knew you had about dog shows and the remarkable people who bring them to life.

This is a dog-friendly event, and guests are invited to stay after the panel for a meet-and-greet with the participants.