Westminster Dog Show prize money: How much do the winners make in 2026?

Horses take center stage during the first weekend of May for the Kentucky Derby. Dogs shine during the same weekend at the second-longest continuously held sporting event, the Westminster Dog Show, which celebrates its 150th annual event in 2026.

Westminster brings together thousands of dogs, all vying for the highly coveted Best in Show title. They show off incredible tricks, demonstrate their agility and obedience, and are perfectly groomed to impress the judges.

Think of the whole event as a joyful dog Olympics, with a fun fashion show thrown in.

Westminster Dog Show purse 2026

The Westminster Dog Show is truly one of the most celebrated events in the canine world, and while the dogs and their owners don't get monetary rewards for winning, they do receive lovely trophies, ribbons, and plenty of bragging rights.

How much does the Best in Show winner make?

The Best in Show winner does not receive a monetary reward. Instead, the victor is compensated by the prestige of securing the title, even though it does not directly improve their finances.

Winners of the agility and obedience contests are awarded $5,000 in prizes, but there’s a special twist: They are asked to donate their winnings to a good cause, either a training club of their choice or the American Kennel Club Humane Fund, making the victory even more meaningful.

How much does it cost to enter a dog in the Westminster Dog Show?

One bright spot is that the entry fee for the Westminster Dog Show is quite affordable at just $100. However, it's important to remember that this doesn't come close to covering all the costs owners will need to invest to ensure their dog is fully prepared and ready for the event.

Moneywise.com offers a detailed financial overview of raising a dog for this show.

The cost of a purebred puppy can run anywhere from $1K to upwards of $14K, depending on the breed. They typically eat an elite diet of protein-rich kibble and are trained and groomed to be Super Dogs for their entire lives.

Weekly training classes can cost as low as $5 if you sign on at a breed club, but if you want to engage the services of a private trainer, the sky's the limit. And while the cost of grooming obviously varies based on breed, at the elite level, even the brushes used to detangle matted fur are worth hundreds of dollars.

Registering for the preliminary dog shows that will count towards qualifying for Westminster can cost anywhere from $10-50.

And once you’ve finally jumped through all the hoops to officially register your pooch for the big show, the registration itself starts at $100. If your dog is also entering the Masters Obedience Competition, you’ll pay an additional $80.

Don’t forget there are also the expenses of your travel, accommodations and food, as well as making sure your dog is always pawparazzi-worthy.

Additionally, some owners prefer to hire professional handlers for competitions. Heather Helmer, who was the handler of 2022 Best in Show winner Trumpet the Bloodhound, as well as a handler-for-hire, charges anywhere between $100-$400 for ringside handling in lesser shows. But Westminster is different, and she charges $1,000 for it, along with an $800 bonus if the dog wins.

There’s also the marketing. Wendy Harrison, who owns HareHill Hounds, says some owners have spent up to $100,000 on advertising alone. How much you spend is completely up to you, but if you have a fairly “risky” breed (like a standard poodle, which has only won once since 1991, or the recently-allowed hairless terrier or Sloughi), the more ads you take out in industry magazines, the better.

Who won the Westminster Dog Show in 2025?

The winner of the 2025 Westminster Dog Show was Monty, a proud male Giant Schnauzer. He was beautifully handled by Katie Bernardin, making history as the first Giant Schnauzer to take home the coveted Best in Show title.

It’s official: Monty the Giant Schnauzer is The Westminster Kennel Club’s 149th Best in Show Winner. Take a look at the winning moment on the floor of the world’s most famous arena, @TheGarden #WestminsterDogShow. pic.twitter.com/VgvxOPYhvK

Monty's victory was especially meaningful, ending a 21-year dry spell for the Working Group and making it a bittersweet moment, as it also marked Monty's retirement from the show ring.