On the Line at the Westminster Kennel Club

The 139th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog show ends Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. The winners of four out of seven competing groups were chosen Monday night: Bugaboo's Picture Perfect, an Old English Sheepdog in the Herding Group, Dawin Hearts On Fire, a Poodle in the Non-Sporting Group, Tashtins Lookin For Trouble, a 15-inch Beagle in the Hound Group and Hallmark Jolei Rocket Power, a Shih Tzu in the Toy Group. 

Three more groups will be judged Tuesday: Sporting, Working and Terrier. And then Best in Show will be chosen.

"It's always incredibly exciting. It's an extreme sport for the audience as much as for the dogs," said WNYC's Sarah Montague, who's been covering the show for 15 years. 

Montague said Matisse, a Portuguese Water Dog who happens to be related to President Obama's own Sunny, may be the one to take it all.

"He's been best in his group three years in a row. ... He's certainly a fabulous example of his breed," Montague said. 

Photographer Dave Gershgorn captured the deep connection between the dogs and their trainers — and their shared moment of intimacy before competition.

Minipup, a Shetland Sheepdog, shares a serene moment with owner Howard Boyle before they compete in the AKC Agility Masters, presented by the Westminster Kennel Club.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Emily Ingersoll and her dog Fozzy watch the competition while on the line to compete in the AKC Agility Masters, presented by the Westminster Kennel Club.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Jay Kessel hugs Tweek, his American Eskimo Dog, before they compete.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Pyrenean Shepherd Diva jumps on her owner's leg before their agility competition.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog looks up at its trainer while waiting to compete at the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

An owner embraces his dog before their run at the AKC Agility Masters, presented by the Westminster Kennel Club.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Benny, a Poodle, stretches out while getting pet by owner Susan Giordano.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Cindy Pearce shares a moment before competing with her Great Pyrenees, Harleigh, at the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Bizzy the Cocker Spaniel eats a treat from owner Vivian Hudson's mouth, on deck for the AKC Agility Masters, presented by the Westminster Kennel Club.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Heather Hubbard and her Samoyed, Suka, look at each other before competing at the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Ashley Deacon plays with his dog, Dash, before their run on the agility course.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

While some handlers talk quietly to their dogs before a round, others plays little games to focus.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)

Candy, a Australian Shepherd, gets petted by trainer David Esherick before her round in the agility course. "Get ready, girlfriend, we're gonna go run," Esherick quietly says to the 10-year-old dog.

(Dave Gershgorn/WNYC)