Meet the Westminster Dog Show Corgi Taking the Stage

Meet the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a small but mighty breed that's been stealing hearts at the Westminster Dog Show for years. This adorable pup has won over audiences with its short stature and long ears.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has been a popular choice for British royalty for centuries, with Queen Elizabeth II being a longtime fan of the breed.

On a similar theme: What Is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Crissy the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is ranked number four in the nation and competing in the national dog ring at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Crissy has won Best of Breed at numerous dog shows, and she's the number one owner-handler corgi in the nation, ranking fourth overall among corgis nationwide.

At the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Crissy will compete against other herding breeds, and if she wins Best of Breed, she'll move on to several rounds leading up to Best in Show.

Jodi Geerlings, Crissy's owner and handler, is no stranger to dog shows, having showcased horses in the Quarter Horse Circuit before switching to dogs.

For your interest: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Nancy Willoughby, owner of Beguile's Suit Up (also known as Keats), breeds Cardigan Welsh corgis, but she got Keats from a couple who were no longer able to give him the exercise the breed requires.

Keats finished fifth in the country among his breed in qualifying shows for the Westminster Kennel Club event, and he's number one in competition for dogs handled by their owners.

Having a co-owner for your dog can be a great way to share the responsibilities and joys of dog ownership.

Co-ownership can take many forms, but for some, it's about sharing the costs and workload of showing and caring for a dog. Sherri Hurst and Peg McCoy, co-owners of a Cardigan, have found success in this arrangement.

Co-owners can also learn from each other's expertise and experience. Hurst, an experienced breeder, helped McCoy choose a show-potential Cardigan male puppy, Noah, that suited her needs.

A co-owner can provide a different perspective and help make decisions about your dog's care and showing schedule. Hurst knows the shows that are best for Noah, and McCoy helps with logistics like hotel arrangements.

Co-owning a dog can also mean sharing the emotional ups and downs of dog ownership. For McCoy, having Noah on the road can be tough, but she knows Hurst loves and cares for him well.

Having a co-owner can also mean having a built-in support system when you're not with your dog. Hurst's assistant, Bergen, sends McCoy photos of Noah, which helps ease the separation.

Crissy the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is ranked number four in the nation and competing in the national dog ring at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Crissy has won Best of Breed at numerous dog shows and has won the herding group seven times.

She's currently the number one owner-handler corgi in the nation and ranks fourth overall among corgis nationwide.

The whole purpose of a dog show is to judge for breeding stock, with a judge evaluating the dog's confirmation, movement, and gait.

Crissy's registered name is (Grand Champion Bronze) Coventry Music of the Night, paying homage to Christine from Phantom of the Opera and her family's bloodline from Coventry Corgi in California.

Beguile's Suit Up, a Cardigan Welsh corgi, will also be competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Keats, as he's known, is a dog with a tail, unlike the Pembroke Welsh corgi, the breed owned by Queen Elizabeth II.

Keats finished fifth in the country among his breed in qualifying shows for the Westminster Kennel Club event.

He was No. 1 in competition for dogs handled by their owners, a notable achievement.

Keats will compete among the herding breeds, where he'll be up against the cream of the crop.

For his part, Keats definitely responds to the clapping and cheering he receives at dog shows, and is expected to be just as jazzed by the reception he receives at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

See what others are reading: List of Best in Show Winners of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

At the 144th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Noah, the "Water Boy", competed against 18 other Cardigan Welsh Corgis for the Best of Breed title.

He was presented with an Award of Merit, given at the discretion of the judge for outstanding entries that don't win the top four titles.

Hurst's approach to making the show fun for Noah is a key factor in his continued enjoyment of the ring.

Hurst has a history of show ring accomplishments, including winning the Cardigan Welsh Corgi National Specialty with Noah's grandfather, GCH CH Heart of Gold Power Play, in 2013.

She also won the Pembroke Welsh Corgi National Specialty with GCHP CH Aubrey's Moon River that same year.

It's unknown if Hurst is the only person to take both coveted Corgi titles in the same year.

The Westminster Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog competitions in the world. It takes place annually in New York City, at the iconic Madison Square Garden.

The show features over 200 breeds of dogs from around the globe, with the Pembroke Welsh Corgi being one of the most popular entries.