WSU employee and her dog to compete at Westminster dog show

A Washington State University licensed veterinary technician and her close companion will take the stage next week at the 150th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Witton, a 3.5-year-oldregistered Cardigan Welsh Corgi and her owner Denise Waiting, who has worked at WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital since 1999, will compete against 13 other Cardigan Welsh Corgis for best in breed. If Witton wins the best of breed, she will go on to the herding group.

"Win or lose, I always feel like I take home the best dog, but if she were to win best in breed at Westminster that would really complete our year," Waiting said. "It's not just another dog show, it's the top dogs of all breeds around the country."

There are 2,564 dogs entered with 214 different breeds or varieties represented. The dogs that win best of breed will compete in one of seven groups - sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding. The dogs that win in each of the seven groups will go on to best in show. The groups and best in show will be shown on national television.

It's not just another dog show, it's the top dogs of all breeds around the country.

Denise Waiting, veterinary technician
Washington State University

Waiting, who is making her second appearance at Westminster and first in 15 years, said she's more nervous than Witton when it comes to showing.

"Westminster will be a little stressful, just because it's such a big, prestigious dog show, but Witton has been to big shows and she's done well; she enjoys it," Waiting said. "I have to watch my nerves because it does go right down the leash to the dog."

Waiting said Witton has attended nearly 70 dog shows in 2025 alone. To qualify for Westminster, dogs must be an AKC breed champion or acquire the 15 points and two major wins at American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog shows. Any breed champion can enter Westminster, but the top 5 dogs in each breed get the prestigious invite to Westminster. Witton has earned 368 breed points, 1,504 group points, including two reserve best in shows. This has put her fourth in her breed, third in all breed points from the herding group, and first among all female Cardigan Welsh Corgis across the U.S. Fourth in her breed is the ticket that got her invited to Westminster.

[Link]Denise Waiting will be showing her dog, Witton, at this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York (photo by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine). [Link]Witton has attended nearly 70 dog shows in 2025 alone. The corgi earned an invitation to Westminster after ranking fourth in her breed (photo by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine). Denise Waiting will be showing her dog, Witton, at this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York (photos by Ted S. Warren, College of Veterinary Medicine).

In addition to friendly competition and building her bond with Witton, Waiting said she shows to preserve the breed more than anything.

"That's the biggest thing. They're being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. If there aren't breeders breeding quality dogs that meet the standard, then standards can fall and breeds can change or disappear," she said.

Waiting said her opportunity to show at Westminster likely wouldn't have been possible without Christy Marley, a local professional handler and friend who also handles Witton. It was a team effort with Witton being the star.

"Witton likes her just as much as she likes me," Waiting said. "When Witton is in the ring with one of us, she is looking for the other."

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is scheduled Jan. 1 through Feb. 3.