PHOTOS: Say hello to herding dogs and hounds at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

NEW YORK (TND) — Plenty of awards, and even more treats, were given out during the first day of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York.

Across a three-day span, 211 American Kennel Club-recognized breeds, arranged into seven groups, will meet in the rings to each choose the representative of their particular breed most likely to take home the coveted title of Best in Show at Wednesday evening's main event. The criteria for winners have nothing to do with how adorable an animal is (a measure that would make the decision far too difficult); rather, the judges' job is to determine which entrant best embodies the established breed standard.

Facing off first during Monday's proceedings were the hounds and the herding dogs.

With breeds ranging from the silky, elegant borzoi to the muscular, soft-eyed beagle, the hound group includes a diverse variety of sighthounds and scenthounds, all bred to hunt warm-blooded prey through either, you guessed it, sight or scent. Formed in 1930, the hound group is over 50 years older than the herding group, which was originally lumped in with the working group until becoming a separate entity in 1983. The herding group comprises breeds with strong herding instincts that have historically assisted with gathering and leading livestock — think sheepdogs and collies.

This year, there's a new face in the herding group. The mudi (plural "mudik") is a medium-sized breed from Hungary that's also known for being a proficient search-and-rescue dog. A second addition to the American Kennel Club lineup, the pint-size Russian toy, will compete in the toy group for the first time Tuesday.

After a winter surge in COVID-19 cases pushed theWestminster Kennel Club Dog Show from an anticipated January event at the iconic Madison Square Garden to a June return to 2021's outdoor venue just north of New York City, the excitement permeating the air at the Lyndhurst Estate was certainly palpable Monday as cars piled into the grassy lot and pups stayed cool in makeshift hair salons under the shade of trees. The spirited enthusiasm of the owners, handlers and spectators seemed no match for the elation of the dogs; many of whom interpreted every clap from the audience as cause for celebration in the form of jumping and treats, regardless of their showing.

In 2021, a Pekingese named Wasabi was crowned Best in Show. This year, it's still any breed's game to win. Will it be a poofy Old English sheepdog? A low-to-the-groundPembroke Welsh corgi? The mudi in a spectacular first showing? Or perhaps one of the breeds that have yet to pick their champion? The world won't know until Wednesday evening, but for now, click through the gallery to choose your favorite.

In this case, by the way, it's totally OK to judge them based on cuteness. And we certainly won't blame you for picking more than one.