Photo Flash: Whippets Take Over the Garden to Celebrate 125 Years in Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

In advance of the 142nd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the Whippet, a very athletic sighthound breed originally from England, took over Chase Square yesterday, September 26, at Madison Square Garden to celebrate 125 years in the renowned competition. Scroll down for photos!

More than a dozen Whippets celebrated their milestone anniversary with a special oversized cake from Carlo's Bakery, the bakers behind Cake Boss. Whippets will compete for the 125th time at the World's Most Famous Arena during the annual competition, which will take place on Monday, Feb. 12 and Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018.

Whippets were first introduced at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1893 as a member of the sporting group. In 1930, the breed joined the newly formed hound group with much success. Since then, Whippets have won the hound group five times in 1958, 1964, 1965, 1981, and 2010. The first Whippet to win Best in Show at Westminster was Ch. Courtenay Fleetfoot of Pennyworth in 1964. At last year's show, 45 Whippets were entered to compete.

The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all breed, benched dog show held every year at New York's Madison Square Garden. For information regarding all event schedules for Westminster Week and tickets go to www.westminsterkennelclub.org.

On Monday and Tuesday, February 12-13, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show returns to Madison Square Garden for its 142nd consecutive year. Tickets are on sale now and will be available through Ticketmaster Charge By Phone (1-866-858-0008) and all Ticketmaster Outlets. Tickets will also be available in person at the MSG Box Office and by visiting www.thegarden.com/dogshow.

Photo Credits: Marion Curtis/Starpix and Carly Boyle/MSG Photos