The Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. Join us in the meeting room to register with the program staff and receive a final itinerary and any updated information. The location of our Road Scholar meeting room will be sent to you the week before in a welcome email from the program provider. Hotel security will also be able to direct you. If you arrive after this evening's scheduled events, the Group Leader will leave an envelope with the Front Desk; please ask for it when you arrive. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. In the same space, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Group Leaders on our programs are highly trained and knowledgeable about many aspects of the city. We will also have the benefit of local experts who will provide information and commentary on areas of particular interest. Bring a photo of your canine friend with you! We'll create a photo board of those furry members of our families who are waiting for us at home. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

6:00 p.m. At a restaurant in the hotel. Dinner is included even if you arrive late.

We’ll close the evening with a screening of “Best In Show.” This comedic mock-documentary, written and directed by Christopher Guest, follows the owners of five dogs as they prepare for and participate in a fictional national kennel club dog show. Nominated for a Golden Globe, “Best In Show” won the American Film Institute Award as 2000 Movie of the Year.

In the hotel's diner.

Today is devoted to Masters Agility Championship preliminaries at The Jacob K. Javits Center, a short walk from the hotel. This fun event features the dogs and their handlers navigating an obstacle course. Elements are standard but the sequence changes with each run requiring a close communication bond between handler and dog.

On your own

Continue enjoying the Agility Preliminaries at your leisure until 3:000pm. = Alternatively, you may choose to explore the city on your own: visit a museum, see some of the iconic sights or take in a matinee on Broadway.

In a nearby restaurant following the evening Masters Agility Finals. This meal will be approx. 7:30pm.

4:30 - 7:00pm (approximate.) We’ll return to The Javits Center for the Masters Agility Championship Finals, open to dogs competing at Excellent or Masters level. The American Kennel Club calls this “the most exciting canine sport for spectators” as dogs and their handlers traverse the obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and more in a timed competition. The Championship course will be a hybrid of the qualifying rounds and will be televised. This event often runs late. Those who wish to return before or after the group departure are welcome to do so independently. Dinner will follow this event.

In the Tick Tock Diner located within the hotel.

The WKC has no scheduled events today. In hour hotel meeting room, we will meet and talk with professionals from the dog show world. Our past speakers have included breeders, handlers, judges. Speakers are subject to change and the CV of those included on the program will be included with your welcome packet upon arrival.

Bag lunch in the meeting room.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

On your own to enjoy what you like. Now is the time for that special New York restaurant or cuisine you've always wanted to try.

At leisure.

In the Tick Tock Diner.

The WKC’s free hotel shuttle to The Jacob K. Javits Center makes the rounds of several hotels in a continuous loop throughout the day. Early morning priority boarding is reserved for dogs and their trainers. Take the WKC shuttle of your choice to The Javits for a morning of self-directed exploration and discovery. The WKC features events today from 8am - 4:30pm including individual breed judging of the following: Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Also, Junior Showmanship Preliminaries. For those looking for a primer on what exactly a dog show is, the WKC offers "Dog Show 101." The Group Leader will be on hand at The Javits to help navigate.

On your own to enjoy what you like.

Dog Show events will continue into the afternoon. Or, take advantage of the flexibility to pursue your other favorite interests in the one and only New York City. We will regroup at the hotel before dinner.

At a restaurant near Madison Square Garden. We will split our full group into two for a more intimate dining experience.

We’ll walk to Madison Square Garden and attend the judging of Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding groups.

In the Tick Tock Diner.

Take the WKC shuttle of your choice to The Javits for a morning of self-directed exploration and discovery. The WKC featured events today include the continuation of the Junior Showmanship preliminaries and individual judging of the Terrier, Sporting and Working breeds. The Group Leader will be on hand to help navigate.

On your own.

Dog Show events will continue into the afternoon. Or, take advantage of the flexibility to set out independently on your own adventures. We’ll regroup at the hotel before dinner.

At a restaurant near Madison Square Garden. We will split our full group into two for a more intimate dining experience.

We’ll walk to Madison Square Garden and take our reserved seats for the WKC Dog Show closing events and the exciting grand finale. There is always an air of excitement and anticipation about what the judges are going to decide. The evening begins with the Junior Showmanship Finals, continues with the Group Judging across Sporting, Working and Terrier groups, and concludes with Best in Show!

In the hotel diner.

Our Group Leader will lead us in a spirited wrap-up discussion. We expect to end by approximately 10:00 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!