The beagles have landed – but who will be best in show?

Every dog has its day and at the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show, that day is full of pomp, preening and a lot of posing.

Up to 2,000 canines will strut their stuff by the end of the two-day event, which began yesterday at Madison Square Garden in New York, in the hope of winning the coveted "Best in Show" award at America's oldest dog show.

Judged in breed categories titled All Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding, Sporting, Working, and Terrier, these pampered pooches have earned their place in a tradition which dates back to 1877 and has featured dogs owned by the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Germany and the philanthropist J P Morgan.

Some of the stars of yesterday's runways included a row of beagles, a pampered Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Lowchen baring all, an Old English sheepdog with its hair tied in knots and a standard poodle with matching Ugg boot-wearing owner.