Will an underdog win the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?

  • Oddsmakers favor a Terrier (+300) to walk away with ‘Best in Show’ at the 148th annual event 
  • Neither a golden retriever nor a labrador retriever has ever won the competition   
  • The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will take place in New York City from May 11 to May 14, 2024 

With over 200 different breeds and varieties competing, it can be difficult to wager on The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Last year, 2500 dogs from 49 states and 13 countries competed for the prestigious ‘Best in Show’ trophy.

What kind of canine will have the judges drooling at this year’s event? Before the pooches strut their stuff around the U.S. Open tennis tournament’s base in Flushing Meadows, let’s look at the odds. Here’s also where you can check out the top betting sites for Entertainment in 2024 and get the latest engagement odds for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

Best in Show – Breed

BreedBetOnline ReviewBovadaMyBookie Review
Terrier+300+300+300
Spaniel+800+800+800
Poodle+1200+1200+1200
Samoyed+1200+1200+1200
Laotti Romagnoli+1400+1400+1400
Pekingese+1400+1400+1400
French Bulldog+1600+1600+1600
Retriever+1600+1600+1600
Scottish Deerhound+1600+1600+1600
Setter+1600+1600+1600
Sheepdog+1600+1600+1600
Affenpinscher+2000+2000+2000
Australian Shepherd+2000+2000+2000
German Shepherd+2000+2000+2000
Pulik+2000+2000+2000
Borzoi+2500+2500+2500
Collie+2500+2500+2500
Dachshund+2500+2500+2500
Italian Greyhound+2500+2500+2500
Newfoundland+2500+2500+2500

Terriers are top dog

Why is a Terrier (+300) favored to win the 148th annual event? Well, judges seem to have a special affinity for wire fox terriers, which have pranced their way to a gold ribbon 15 different times. Aside from the wire fox terrier, which triumphed in both 2014 and 2019, dogs of all types have won over the past decade.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (2023), Bloodhound (2022), Pekinese (2021), Standard Poodle (2020), Bichon Frise (2018), German Shepherd (2017). German Shorthaired Pointer (2016), Beagle (2015).

Beware of dog

Despite being one of America’s most popular dog breeds, Labrador retrievers (+1400) have never claimed the top prize over the past 147 years. But never say never. A bloodhound won ‘Best in Show’ for the first time in 2022.

Spaniel (+800), Poodle (+1200) and Pekinese (+1400) are nothing to sniff at, as each breed has five or more wins.

SheepdogBest in Show Breed
★★★★★
+1600
Bet now
WorkingBest in Show Category
★★★★★
+700
Bet now

Best in Show – Category

BreedBetOnline ReviewBovadaMyBookie Review
Terrier+300+300+300
Non-Sporting+400+400+400
Toy Group+400+400+400
Hound+500+500+500
Sporting+500+500+500
Working+700+700+700
Herding+1000+1000+1000

That’s a good boy!

At The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, judges examine the 2,500 four-legged competitors to see which dog fits the ideal “standard” for its breed, evaluating everything from teeth to tail to temperament. The canines that are graded ‘Best in Breed’ then face off in ‘Best in Group’ before going head-to-head for the grand prize of ‘Best in Show’.

The Terrier (+300) group has claimed ‘Best in Show’ in 45 out of 103 years dating back to 1907. Sporting (+500) dogs like spaniels, pointers and setters have 18 victories. The Toy (+400) group has 11 wins and the Non-Sporting (+400) group has 10. However, Working (+700) dogs like dobermans, huskies and boxers might be the best value on the board, given they have 15 No. 1 finishes.

Best in Show – Coat Color

ColourBetOnline ReviewBovadaMyBookie Review
Brown+100+100+100
White+200+200+200
Black+400+400+400
Golden+1400+1400+1400
Grey+1600+1600+1600
Orange+2000+2000+2000

Nice coat

Brown (+100), White (+200) and Black (+400) are favored to be the coat color of the winning animal, while Golden (+1400), Grey (+1600) and Orange (+2000) are the underdogs.

This one is anyone’s guess, so bet responsibly and enjoy the show dog lovers!

WhiteCoat Color
★★★★★
+200
Bet now

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Steve Starr

Steve is the quintessential American sports enthusiast. He has mastered the art of Sundays, devoting them to football, and barbecue parties. He proudly wears the hats of a good father, husband and a great dog owner. Aside from his decades of contributing to different top-tier sports publications, Steve has also found his niche on Twitter, where he publishes funny and relatable sports-related insights. When he's not busy tweeting, Steve loves to watch each game unfold live. He possesses an innate talent for finding humor in the sports world, appreciating both the thrilling moments and the comedic mishaps that make each event unique.