Dogs Will Have Their Days at the Westminster Dog Show

A King Charles Cavalier spaniel named Micah relieves himself. (Photograph by Julie Jacobson/AP)

Today is the first day of the Westminster Kennel Club's 2009 Dog Show. Over 2,500 dogs in 170 breeds will compete for best of breed, best of group, and yes, best in show over today and tomorrow (best in show judging is tomorrow). Last year's winner was crowd-pleaser Uno, a very adorable beagle.

With the economy's downturn, the Westminster Kennel Club admitted that ticket sales to the big event at Madison Square Garden were down this year, with Westminster Communications Director David Frei saying, "It’s a hobby, and in a tough economy, people cut back on hobbies." If you decide not to venture to MSG to see the dogs in person, you can see the competition on USA Network tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. Watch out for Long Island's own Quixote, a Chow Chow who is competing. Quixote is super cut (video after the jump).

Fun fact: Uno's owner Caroline Dowell donated $20,000 in promotional proceeds for canine health research; she told Bloomberg News, “Uno and I decided what to do with the money. He agreed with my recommendation that the money should benefit dogs.” She also implied perhaps why she didn't visit the White House last May: "There is a sign at my ranch that says, ‘Uno supports Obama-Biden.'"