Locations – Westminster is in New York City, and Crufts in Birmingham UK
Westminster is the biggest dog show in North America, while Crufts is one of the biggest dog shows in the world
2014 was the 138th year for Westminster, and Crufts, started in 1891, and in 1942 it first showed under Kennel club banner. It did not run during the war years.
Westminster takes place for 2 days n February and Crufts is 4 days in March.
Breed standards are different, the judging is different and the groups are slightly different.
Ear cropping and tail docking, both considered a cosmetic surgery on dogs, are considered differently in North America versus UK (that is another topic for later so I will hold back my rant)
The groups are:
At Westminster at Crufts winner 2014 Westminster Crufts
Hound Hound Bloodhound Irish wolfhound
Toy Toy Miniature Pinscher Pomeranian
Non sporting Utility tandard poodle (white)Standard poodle (black)
Herding Pastoral Cardigan Welsh Corgi Samoyed
Sporting Gun dog Irish Water Spaniel American Cocker spaniel
Working working Portuguese waterdog Rottweiler (Portuguese water dog –reserve
Terrier Terrier wire fox terrier wire fox terrier
This year Westminster had an agility contest. Crufts has had several such contests for years.
Crufts also had a competition for mix breeds called Scruffts
Westminster is presented by the American Kennel Club and Crufts by the Kennel Club
A major sponsor of Westminster is Pro plan/Purina and Eukanuba dog food for Crufts.
Winner in best in show 2014 was a Standard Poodle at Crufts, and reserve best in show was a Samoyed.
And a wire fox terrier was the winner at Westminster, while the reserve best in show was a white Standard Poodle
Go and take a look at these dogs at the web sites for the shows. What dogs!
Source of reference
http://www.crufts.org.uk/
http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2014/show/info.html