IN PHOTOS | Best of the Westminster dog show
Best in show trophy to be awarded late Tuesday at prominent U.S. canine competition
Dogs are vying for the big prize — best in show — at the United States' most prominent canine competition: the Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
Westminster's traditional, purebred-only, breed-by-breed judging continues on Tuesday in New York City, capped by the coveted best in show prize late Tuesday.
Four of the seven finalists have already been chosen to compete in the best in show, including: Bourbon, a whippet and repeat runner-up; Comet, a Shih Tzu, who has been a finalist before; and Mercedes, a German shepherd who came in second last year. But only one will win the best in show trophy.
Check out some of the action so far.
Bourbon, a whippet, pictured on Monday, won the hound group during judging.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Comet, a Shih Tzu, winner of the toy group, is judged during the dog show.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Mercedes, a German shepherd, wins the herding group.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
On Monday, a bichon frise is groomed in the benching area at the Javits Center.
(Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images)
A standard poodle is groomed during the prestigious dog show.
(Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images)
Keeshond dogs look up at their handlers during judging.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Agility, obedience competitions
The dog show kicked off Saturday with agility and obedience competitions, as well as a flyball tournament, which made its debut. The agility competition was won by a border collie named Vanish. The top obedience prize went to Willie, an Australian shepherd.
Here, Shelby, a poodle, competes during the Masters Agility Championship Finals.
(Jeenah Moon/Reuters)
Kimber, an Australian cattle dog, competes in the agility competition.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Another competitor chases ducks during the agility competition.
Flyball debut
Flyball, a relay race for dogs, made its debut at Westminster on the weekend. Here, a dog jumps over hurdles during the flyball tournament.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Handlers and their dogs wait for the start of the tournament.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)
Alicia Bismore and her dog Dazy rub noses as they wait for the start of the tournament.
(Heather Khalifa/The Associated Press)