7 dogs competing for Westminster’s show big prize Tuesday night

NEW YORK (AP) — After two days, 2,500 dogs and more than 200 breeds, the Westminster Kennel Club is coming down to just seven canines vying for U.S. show dogs’ most coveted prize.

The winner gets a trophy, ribbons, bragging rights and, this year, the distinction of winning the milestone 150th annual Westminster show.

Finalists so far include an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham and a Chesapeake Bay retriever called Cota.

Two more rivals will be selected Tuesday night before they all face off at Madison Square Garden for the best in show award.

Whichever dog ends up with the prize, lots of others scored meme-able moments or light up the crowd, even if they didn’t make the finals.

Over two nights of semifinals, spectators cheered extra-loud for a Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a hairless dog who went around the ring like he had nothing to prove. A vizsla named Beamer charmed the crowd by hopping into a box set out for his handler’s tools, and then sitting there as if right at home. Spectators cheered so loud for a golden retriever named Oliver that they drowned out the arena’s announcer, and chants of “Lumpy! Lumpy!” resounded as Lumpy the Pekingese s...