But after endless elimination rounds and countless bottles of hairspray, a deerhound named Hickory has galloped to victory.
The five-year-old female took the 'best in show' gong after beating off stiff competition from six others, including a Portuguese Water Dog, the breed that captured the hearts of President Obama and his family last year.
Judge Paolo Dondina, wasted no time in picking the enormous hound, who loves to chase wild animals, from the line up in tonight's final at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He said Hickory was an 'outstanding dog' whose movement was 'super'. He also praised the standard of all the dogs in the show, now in its 135th year.
Hickory's handler, Angela Lloyd, said the win was the 'thrill of a lifetime'. 'People who own the breed have dreamed of this day their whole, entire life,' she added.
The runners up included a very cute Pekinese called Malachy who trotted around the ring to whoops from the audience.
There was also a Chinese Shar-Pei, a Cocker Spaniel called Beckham, a Fox Terrier and bearded Collie Mr Baggins, named after the Lord of the Rings character.
When Ladybug, the Portuguese water dog made her once-round the ring judges quipped: 'I�m not sure if Mr Dondina is a democrat, but I�m sure there�s some cheers going up for this dog over in DC�
But it was Hickory's night to receive the purple and gold rosette and silver bowl.
Nearly 2,600 preened and pampered pooches competed for the position of top dog in the show, which started yesterday.
If the bright lights of the ring and 15,000-strong crowd that fills the arena each day - not to mention the millions watching on television - weren't enough, the dogs also faced hours of preparation backstage.
The fur flew as each pooch was washed, combed, plaited and clipped to within an inch of its life in order to make the judges happy.
This year there were 179 breeds and varieties from 49 states and several countries as far away as Australia. Six new breeds, including the Bluetick Coonhound and Icelandic Sheepdog, were also trying to claw their way to the top.
One newcomer, Susan Lloyd, from North Carolina, who is showing her bluetick coonhound, called Mike, said: 'It's my first time here. I'm a little bit nervous.'
She was advised to spray some soda on her shoes and on Mike's paws in order for them both to maintain a good grip on the show's slippery green carpet.
'Oh, that's good to know. I might try that,' she said.
They might be growing in popularity but the Puggle (a cross between a Pug and a Beagle) and the Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle) could be years away from making the American Kennel Club cut.
Breeds need a parent club that establishes a breed standard, a sufficient population and a solid distribution of the dog, in order for it to be recognised.
Last year Sadie the Scottie trotted to glory. Terries have always been favourites to win the show having won the title 46 times.
The year before Stump, a Sussex Spaniel, amazed everyone when he came out of retirement to win the silver bowl. At 10 years old he was the oldest dog to win the Westminster.
Best in show from 2007 was James, an English Springer-Spaniel who has since retired to pursue a career in therapy. He has worked with Alzheimer's patients, children and people who have cancer and according to The New York Times, a picture of James was displayed at the wake of a 20-year-old who died of cancer.
Westminster Dog Show has seen 25 presidents since it began in 1877. It pre-dates the invention of the light bulb, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and even the invention of basketball.
The Empire State Building honoured the show by lighting its tower in the Westminster colours of purple and gold.
