Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2010

Handler Rick Klinger waits backstage to show his dog during the first day of the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk A toy spaniel peeks at the goings-on as it waits in its backstage berth prior to appearing before the judges at the New York show Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk A beagle stoically accepts the indignity as it is groomed by its handler with a hairdryer Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk Tongues are wagging as members of the bloodhound gang line up in the ring Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk All varieties of human and canine life are there to see and be seen in the judging rings Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Photograph: Justin Lane/guardian.co.uk A breeder rewards her English sheepdog with a kiss as it stands with its fellow competitors Photograph: Chris Hondros/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Hondros/guardian.co.uk Richard Meen, a dapper and well-groomed show judge, examines a whippet Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Photograph: Justin Lane/guardian.co.uk Pugs Jeremy and Jellybean sit comfortably on an animal print blanket as they wait backstage for their chance to shine Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk Roy, a bearded collie, looks out from under a flyblown fringe as it undergoes some heavy-duty grooming Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk Man and beast in perfect harmony: the limbs of this handler and his saluki are a blur Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Photograph: Justin Lane/guardian.co.uk A dog handler and her chihuahua rub noses while competing in the show Photograph: Chris Hondros/Getty Images Photograph: Chris Hondros/guardian.co.uk Short legs and sensible haircuts: corgis and their handlers line up before they enter the ring Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A. Clary/guardian.co.uk Dog owners engage in some last-minute grooming of their briards prior to appearing before the judges Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Photograph: Justin Lane/guardian.co.uk Whippets of all hues wait for their handlers to lead them out in front of the audience Photograph: Justin Lane/EPA Photograph: Justin Lane/guardian.co.uk