Competing in the Westminster Dog Show is a labor of love.
The winning dogs at the Westminster Dog Show don't receive any money, and neither do their owners.
In case it wasn't obvious already, showing dogs is rather cost-prohibitive.
Here's everything to know about the Westminster Dog Show prize money for 2020, including how much it costs to enter the competition and buy tickets.
Westminster Dog Show purse for 2020
There's no money on the line at the Westminster Dog Show. In fact, most dog shows don't reward prize money, but that doesn't stop the human contestants from spending up to $250,000 a year to compete.
How much does the Best in Show winner make?
The dog that wins Best in Show is probably a very good boy or girl, but that does not mean it earns any money. The Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show does typically does go on to compete in some of the more lucrative dog shows later in the year, including the AKC National Championship, which awards $50,000 to its champion.
Who won Westminster Dog Show in 2019?
Kingarthur Van Foliny Home (a.k.a. "King"), a wire fox terrier, won Best in Show in 2019. Much like his owner, Victor Malzoni Jr., King received no money for the honor.
How much does it cost to enter a dog in the Westminster Dog Show?
According to GOBankingRates, the entry fee to the Westminster Dog Show is $100. Of course, most of the cost of owning and competing a show dog comes outside of the entry fees. The dogs themselves are extremely pricey to own and maintain.
How much is a ticket to the Westminster Dog Show?
Prices vary depending on the event and day. For some of the weekend events, prices are as low as $22 for adults and $10 for children. But for the main events Monday and Tuesday night, it will cost $40 per night (or $75 for both nights) for general admission, and $65 per night for reserved seating at Madison Square Garden.