Portraits from the Westminster Dog Show

The Westminster Kennel Club show started Monday morning and, to the owners of the 2,711 pooches set to take part, it's the Super Bowl, World Series and Daytona 500 of dogdom in the United States, one giant bark in the park.

The finale of the Westminster Dog Show is February 17, when one dog will be named Best in Show at Madison Square Garden. Here is a collection of portraits of some of the participants. (AP)

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The Truth About Cats: They're Good for Us

- Cats have gotten a bad health rap, as new research suggests they may be beneficial to human health.

- Cats could even help to lower human risk of cancer.

- Cats may harbor T. gondii, but feline ownership does not predict risk of infection with this parasite.

News headlines over the past few years have linked cat ownership to everything from cancer to craziness, but new studies suggest that cats are actually beneficial to human health, and may even reduce our risk for cancer and other diseases.

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Think You Know America's No. 1 Pet? Read On!

With all the press that goes to the dogs, you might think canines are Americans preferred pet. Actually the number of cats kept as pets edges out the dogs by 86 million to 78 million. That’s according to the American Pet Products Association survey.

In celebration of man’s best "feline," let’s talk about helping your cat stay healthy and happy. Indoor cats thrive on social interaction, predatory play and purr-sonal space.

Social interaction is more than "Kitty" sitting in your lap. With a little human effort, indoor cats can enjoy experiences similar to their outdoor cousins, minus the risk of infectious diseases, injuries or accidents.

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From Poodles to Deerhounds, Dogs Seek Honors at Westminster Kennel Club Show

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Perfectly coifed Standard Poodles and small and sprightly Bichon Frises were among more than 2,700 dogs from 15 countries primping and prancing on Monday at the opening of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The show, which is in its 139th year, is the second longest continuously running sporting event in the United States, behind the Kentucky Derby horse race.

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