TNT spoke with Tim Lehman, Progressive Dog Club’s Event Chair, to talk about the club’s 99th and 100th Toy Dog Shows which will take place on February 7 & 8, 2025 at The New Yorker Hotel. This year’s iterations signal a return to Midtown Manhattan, just ahead of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, where breeders and exhibitors are sure to enjoy the sights, sounds, and sensations of seeing so many Toys in one of the world’s greatest playgrounds. We hope readers enjoy (re)discovering Progressive’s role as a bastion for Toy Dog breeders and exhibitors in America and around the world.
Timothy Lehman: Progressive is an iconic dog show. We are an all-breed club that hosts a show just for Toy breeds. What this means is this show counts as an all-breed Best in Show if you win it. The two other clubs that have the same standing are Montgomery County Kennel Club and Metro Mile Hi Kennel Club.
Timothy Lehman: I’ve been involved with Progressive for over 20 years, and what I find so amazing about our club (and a lot of other clubs) is that even though a different group has been in charge during each generation, Progressive has been able to withstand those changes. No matter who is running the club, the club always prevails.
Timothy Lehman: We are a New York City-based club, but the show has had many different incarnations over the years. The show, however, hasn’t always been with Westminster. It used to be held, roughly 30 years ago, on a Friday in October. It was all by itself, and I believe it was at the (Loews) Summit Hotel.
Timothy Lehman: The association not only benefits the size of the entry but also where people come from. We are fortunate enough to get an international entry, since people come from all over the world to go to Westminster. Therefore, we always end up with a very competitive Toy Group. Also, a lot of people come from all over the country and the world to see the competition. We always get a great crowd.
Timothy Lehman: This year is exciting for us because we haven’t had a show in New York City since before COVID. We have a new venue, since the Hotel Pennsylvania was torn down, and I feel very fortunate that we were able to get two ballrooms on the mezzanine level for our space at The New Yorker Hotel. The Crystal Ballroom and the Grand Ballroom will be utilized for rings, and I think they should be even more user-friendly and more convenient than what we had in the past. The rings are all carpeted, which is great, and we have plenty of room for grooming and plenty of electricity.
I think this year is also especially exciting because so many people haven’t seen each other in New York City for several years. And since we’re staying in the same place as the host hotel for Westminster, our venue should be great for camaraderie over the weekend. You can’t miss our show. The fact that Progressive gets to have our show in that hotel is a great privilege and honor.
Timothy Lehman: The National Owner-Handled Series has been of the utmost importance to a lot of exhibitors. People really love it and it’s very important for us to support it. And obviously, Juniors are the future of our sport. Since we didn’t have a show for a few years, so many people asked, “When’s Progressive coming back? When are you going to have a show?” So, we got quite a few younger people involved in our club, willing to help and provide support. We have more new and young members than ever, and I’m very happy and proud about that. We need their support so that Progressive Dog Club can continue on.
I really stress the importance of giving back to our communities through working in your local club. Ultimately, being involved in a club is about giving back to our sport. It is important to pass a club on to those who will take care of it, which is what I’ve tried to do. I always loved Progressive, from many, many years ago, and first went to the show when I was in my 20s.
Timothy Lehman: Well, I saw my first Maltese when I was probably 10 years old and thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever seen. I’ve been fascinated with the breed ever since. I think when a Maltese is in a full coat it is, for me, hard to find something more beautiful. They are very affectionate dogs and extremely loyal, and they’re lots of fun. I wouldn’t know my life without them. I feel a responsibility and a stewardship to protect and present the breed to what I think is correct. I’ve always felt this way, just as I have felt a certain responsibility for Progressive Dog Club.
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