I had not read up on the American Kennel Club’s “Meet the Breeds” convention last year, so I wasn’t sure what I’d find there. At the Javits Center that winter morning, all of my expectations were surpassed. “Meet the Breeds” is heaven on earth for dog lovers. The A.K.C. sets up alphabetically-ordered booths for over 100 dog breeds, from your classic beagles and bloodhounds to the more elusive borzois and basenjis. They’re all available to pet and play with, and their owners are on-site, eager to talk at length about their particular canine. If you wish to gauge your interest in certain breeds for future ownership, this event is abundantly informative (booths are typically accompanied by educational placards relating the breed’s history, temperament, and so on). And if you simply love dogs and enjoy being around them, “Meet the Breeds” is a bark up the right tree.
—Jack Sullivan