AT 8am on Friday, December 7, entries opened for the 126th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show to be held on Monday and Tuesday, February 11 & 12, 2002 at Madison Square Garden.

In less than one hour, the club’s limit of 2500 entries had been reached and the entry process was closed!

American Kennel Club champions of all 159 currently recognised breeds and varieties will be represented at next year’s show. Leading the entries again will be the three varieties of Dachshunds-61, followed by Irish Setters - 41 and Rottweilers, Chinese Sharpei and Australian Shepherds at 40 entries each.

For the first time, in 2002, Westminster has accepted entries for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs in the herding Group. Their entry for this year is 14. The Working, Terrier, Toy and Non-sporting breeds and varieties will be benched and judged during the day on Monday, February 11 and their Groups will be judged on Monday evening.

The Sporting, Hound and herding breeds and varieties will be benched and judged on Tuesday, February 12 during the day and their Groups will be judged on Tuesday evening followed by best in show.

Group competition will be televised each evening beginning at 8pm on the USA Network. In mid January, tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, phone 212-307 7171.