New York, NY (March 16, 2023) —Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada resident Dr. Michael J. Woods is among the judges at the 147^th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina Pro Plan in New York, New York on May 6-9, 2023. The iconic dog show is set to return to New York City at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. He will judge Barbets, Bracco Italiano, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Nederlandse Kooikerhondjes, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Pointers and Wirehaired Vizslas during his first judging assignment at Westminster. The Best of Breed winners he selects will advance to the Sporting Group evening competition on Tuesday, May 9.

Dr. Woods has been involved with dogs as a breeder, exhibitor, and judge for over 45 years. His original breed is Labrador Retrievers, and he has also owned Border Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers.

He was Vice-President of the Judges Education Committee for the Dog Judges Association of Canada. He has served as a member of the Canadian Kennel Club’s National Appeals Committee, Ethics Committee, and Events Officiating Committee and published articles on the Labrador Retriever, Conformation Judging, Retrievers, and Ethics in the dog fancy.

Dr. Woods is a Canadian Kennel Club All-Breed and All-Obedience Class judge and has judged extensively throughout Canada and the United States, as well as in Japan, Korea, China, France, Thailand, Indonesia, Bermuda, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia, Ireland, Finland, Holland, Mexico, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, and Australia.

For 2023, Westminster Week returns to New York City kicking off with Canine Celebration Day on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The day commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Masters Agility Championship and the 8th Annual Masters Obedience Championship with new family fun-filled events like dock diving, a breed showcase, and a demo ring for visitors to see herding, scent work and freestyle obedience. The breed competitions will take place at the same location on Monday, May 8 (Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Breeds and Group judging) and Tuesday, May 9 (Sporting, Working, Terrier Breeds, Junior Showmanship Finals, and Group judging followed by Best in Show).

For the schedule of events click here. For television coverage click here. Live streaming of daytime events and dog show results can be found at westminsterkennelclub.org.

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About the Westminster Kennel Club

The Westminster Kennel Club, established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby, and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show. The Club’s mission, which enhances the lives of all dogs, celebrates the companionship of dogs and promotes responsible dog ownership and breed preservation. The Club advocates for purpose-bred dogs, with an understanding that each breed has a legacy and history that deserves to be taught, honored, and preserved. The Club uses education to raise awareness and encourage owners to conscientiously select dogs that are the right match for their families. The annual dog show—a conformation competition for purpose-bred dogs—and the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship—where dogs from all backgrounds are eligible to compete—make Westminster Week with nearly 3,000 dogs from the U.S. and around the world, a pinnacle experience for any dog lover. America’s Dog Show has captivated canine enthusiasts for more than a century. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.® Visit us on, westminsterkennelclub.org, on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare

Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 8,700 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 51 million dogs and 65 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition. Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 140 targeted formulas to help your pet thrive throughout every stage of life. It is also the food of choice for 15 of the past 16 Westminster Best in Show winners*. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

*The handler or owners of these champions may have received Purina Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors.