In 1876 a group of gentleman often met in the bar at the Westminster Hotel in New York City where they shared stories, as men do, about hunting and shooting. A great many of the stories they told highlighted the exploits of their hunting dogs. It occurred to some in this group that they should form a club to showcase their special dogs. They did, and the Westminster Kennel Club soon convened its first meeting in their favorite watering hole.

This led to their first annual dog show held May 8, 1877. Big plans were made and the first Westminster Kennel Club show kicked off at Gilmore’s Garden (the predecessor to Madison Square Garden) in New York City and featured 1,201 sporting dogs, primarily Setters and Pointers. Among the entries listed in the first show were two Staghounds once owned by General George Custer, and two Deerhounds bred by Queen Victoria of England.

The show was “benched” which meant the dogs stayed at the show all day so that the public could see them up close and talk to their owners. Prizes included items such as pearl-handled pistols, much desired by the hunters and terrier-men who worked these dogs in the field.

The show was such a hit that it was extended to four days to accommodate the overwhelming public interest. The gate for the first day of the show was estimated as high as 8,000. On the second day, 20,000 spectators attended, a number matched on the third day and providing the impetus to add a fourth day.

The proceeds from that fourth day were donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to open a home for stray and disabled dogs.