Westminster Dog Owners Don't Want You to Think They're Like 'Best in Show' Movie Characters

Castle Rock

The humans competing at the 142nd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show really want you to know that they’re not like the crazies Christopher Guest depicted in his classic 2000 feature film “Best in Show.” And yes, they can laugh at the movie — kind of.

“Well, it’s a satire… it’s funny,” Rémy Smith-Lewis — whose Portuguese Water Dog, Manly, is among the mid-February event’s frontrunners — cautiously told TheWrap. “It does its job.”

OK, so that is not exactly a ringing endorsement, but it’s something. Anybody else?

Also Read: 'Puppy Bowl XIV': 7 Things Seen, Heard (and Petted) Behind the Scenes

Fellow contestant Brandi Ritchie — who will present underdog Donkey Kong, a Chinese Crested — was also quick to point out that the ensemble comedy is merely “entertainment,” and thus not quite the documentary their shared Nat Geo Wild special “Road to Westminster Dog Show” is.

We get it, guys.

“I don’t think we necessarily– OK, well some people probably act like that. But not all,” Ritchie said of the faux Fleck family, Harlan Pepper (pictured above) and all those other on-screen nuts. “We’re normally just normal people… that love our dogs and go out on the weekend and show [them].”

Also Read: 'Puppy Bowl XIII' Laps Up 2.5 Million Viewers

Their two-part special “Road to Westminster Dog Show” premieres Sunday, Feb. 11 at 8/7c on Nat Geo Wild. The 142nd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show takes place over the following two days.

From Wags to Riches: 11 of TV's Most Famous Dogs (Photos)

In honor of #NationalDogDay, we look back at some of the small screen's most recognizable canine stars.
Pal, the original Lassie, made $4,000 a week in 1954 or $51,000 in today's world. Lassie has since been played by 10 generations of Pal's descendants.
Rex Features
Flame Jr., also known as Rin Tin Tin IV, starred in the TV hit ABC show "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" from 1954-59. The famed dog was responsible for increasing the popularity of German shepherds as family pets and was nominated for the American Humane Association's PATSY Award for animal performers.
"Adventures of Rin Tin Tin" Season 1 Episode 12
Moose, the Jack Russell terrier who played Eddie on "Frasier" (1993-2004), earned a cool $10,000 per episode. In total, Eddie earned $3.2 million in his 11-year run. He also received more fan mail than any of his costars! Fun fact: Eddie's biological son, Enzo, took over the role after his dad retired.
Getty Images
Gidget, the 12-pound chihuahua known for the ubiquitous catchphrase, "Yo quiero Taco Bell!" was propelled to stardom after landing the lucrative fast-food campaign in the late '90s. She also starred as Bruiser's mom in 2003's "Legally Blonde 2" alongside Reese Witherspoon.
1999 Taco Bell Commercial/Video Archeology
Even though Sadie isn't exactly a TV star, Oprah Winfrey's cocker spaniel was mentioned so many times on her show, she became almost as famous as her gazillionaire owner. In 2009, Dogtime.com reported that Oprah set aside $30 million for her five dogs, including Sadie.
Instagram
Cookie Frankel, "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel's dog, has more than 25,000 followers on Twitter. The Lhasa apso gets regular massages and is constantly fed antioxidant-rich carrots. "Everyday is a spa day for her," Bethenny has said.
Instagram
"Million Dollar Listing" star Fredrik Eklund insists his miniature dachshund, Fritzy, needs a big living room to play in. But Eklund is realistic, insisting he would never spend more than $2 million on his dog's digs. Moderation is key, people.
Instagram
Giggy, "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Vanderpump's Pomeranian, is perhaps one of TV's most pampered pups, with his own personal chef and Twitter account. He has become such a fan favorite that he now makes his own red carpet appearances, rich owner in tow.
Getty Images
Stewart, a Pembroke Welsh corgi, played who played Captain Raymond Holt’s dog Cheddar for much of the run of the sitcom "Brooklyn Nine Nine" -- often featured in the show's elaborate shenanigans. Stewart died in 2019 at age 13.
NBC
Brigitte, a French bulldog "actress," best known for her role as Stella on ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family," won Best Dog in a Television Series at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards in 2012.
The American Human Association
On the last seven seasons of “Modern Family,” Beatrice replaced Brigitte as the beloved bulldog Stella owned by Ed O'Neill's Jay Pritchard. Beatrice died in March 2020 -- just weeks after production wrapped on the long-running sitcom's series finale.
ABC