If you're watching the people, the concept of Dog show has escaped your grasp.
I have no idea how they can afford this.
Some people don't understand that there is an AKC standard that documents in meticulous detail the ideal of how each breed looks, moves, and behaves. Some people don't understand that each champion we see at Westminster is the product of a rigorous breeding program taking place over sometimes dozens of generations, genetically documented back sometimes many decades, undertaken by dedicated breeders who study (and understand!) genetics. Some people don't understand that each judge we see presiding over the breed evaluations and determining the winners and losers has extensive, usually multi-generational, knowledge of all the breeds which he/she is licensed by the AKC to judge, and has the history, certifications and test results to prove their competence.
Yes, as with any sport, there are politics involved. Still, it's the best method we have to evaluate and judge the success of the breeding programs that produced these dogs, and whether or not each breeding program is on-track to continue producing even better, more sound examples of the individual breeds.
Besides that, the dogs are cute. Every single one of them. And anyone who doesn't think so is a doody head. Beyond that, anyone who thinks watching this is stupid, and takes the time out of their day to come onto this thread and insult dozens of total strangers about something of which he/she is totally ignorant is a moron.
Oh, I agree, but if I watch the dog, I can pretty well imagine what a running dog looks like. Looking at an usually overweight owner wearing a tux or a evening gown, trying to look good running next to a dog completely escapes me. Maybe they should judge the person and not the dog.