NAT GEO WILD GREENLIGHTS "THE ROAD TO WESTMINSTER," AN ALL-ACCESS LOOK AT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE BEST IN SHOW

For the First Time, Go Behind the Scenes to See the Passion and Commitment Leading up to the Westminster Kennel Dog Club Show

(WASHINGTON, D.C., and NEW YORK - July 25, 2017) - Nat Geo WILD today announced the greenlight of The Road to Westminster, a two-part special to be produced by Leepson Bounds Entertainment. For 140 years dogs and their handlers have competed to earn the elusive and prestigious title of Best in Show at The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Now for the first time we have unprecedented behind-the-scene access to the months leading up to Westminster, where the real story begins. This is a peek behind the curtain of the Super Bowl for dogs.

"The Road to Westminster will air as part of our annual BarkFest weekend in the run-up to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, giving dog lovers everywhere a deeper connection to the entire event," said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. "This is going to be the ultimate pre-game Westminster experience - must-see TV with tailgating strongly recommended!"

The series will follow dogs and their handlers as they prep for the biggest competition of their year. We will meet many of the event's fascinating personalities: frontrunners who have overcome incredible odds, grizzled veterans who have been showing dogs at Westminster for decades, social media stars who may be in it for the clicks and up-and-comers.

See what it really takes to train a top dog, from groomers to dog diets to dog hotels. Watch the action of the qualifying rounds where many hopes are dashed, and meet the fans who sleep overnight to get a seat in Madison Square Garden and the hundreds of Westminster officials who work diligently to make sure there is one top dog.

The Road to Westminster is produced by Leepson Bounds Entertainment for Nat Geo WILD. For Leepson Bounds Entertainment, David Leepson is executive producer. For Nat Geo WILD, executive producer is Janet Han Vissering and executive vice president and general manager is Geoff Daniels.

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