I consulted several different sources to compile my list this year – trying to make this into a science, but it is, of course, an art. I started with the odds compiled by Wynn Las Vegas, although that ended up being the least important factor I considered. Then I looked at which breeds had won Westminster most often, also pretty much of a dead end for me.

Next, I looked at the number of dogs entered in each breed and group, and how many times each had won. To some extent, this is a reflection of the popularity of each breed, but to me, although this hasn’t proven true historically, a breed that has many entries will have a better chance of producing a truly best example of the breed standard. If the judge has more specimens to choose from, he or she will be better able to find a more exemplary dog.

I used these figures to choose my breed for each group, then looked at the list of invitees for each group. The invitees are the five top-ranked dogs in each breed, who are automatically invited to Westminster each year. The rest of the entries are those sent in to ask for a slot, but the top five are actually invited to the show.

From there, I have to admit, I just looked at the names. I picked the dog whose name I liked best. Like I said, it’s an art.

Enough already, right? Here’s my list:
Continue reading My Picks For The 2014 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show →