Columbia's Liz Hansen is on her 7th consecutive annual trip to the Big Apple for the world's biggest dog show competition.

Liz Hansen's love of dogs started in childhood.

"My folks wouldn't let me have a dog until I could drive myself to obedience school with it," said Hansen, standard schnauzer breeder.

Decades later, she now has bred about 10 generations of standard schnauzers.

"His registered name is American and Canadian champion, sketchbook neon lights," said Hansen.

But you can call him Vegas, no surprise, he's a show dog and ranked third in the country.

"He really likes it when people clap. So, when the crowd starts cheering he really pumps it up that much more," said Hansen.

Vegas' dad Seasar is one of the most successful schnauzers in show dog history. From 2003-2006 he won best in breed at the Westminster Dog Show.

"He was the right dog at the right time. He has an international fan club. There are still people that ask me about him and he is the first one that I won with at Westminster," said Hansen.

But if Hansen has her way, he won't be the last.

Sesar's son Vegas runs 15 minutes a day on a treadmill preparing for the world's second oldest sporting event.

"What shape and color and size and temperament of dog would make. Would do the job that it was originally breed for best," said Hansen.

The Westminster Dog Show is the most prestigious four-legged beauty contest in the world.

"In about two and a half or three minutes they need to decide which one of these looks like it can do the job the best," said Hansen.

He'll compete against eight others. But Vegas doesn't do it alone, Hansen is a rare breed herself.

A breeder who is also a handler.

"I have to keep my nerves calm and even because it goes right down the leash to the dog," said Hansen.

Winning at Westminster carries plenty of canine prestige, but that's about all.

"You get a really pretty ribbon, a gold medallion and the envy of everybody involved. There isn't any money involved," said Hansen.

But she's willing to gamble on her three year old pooch.

"He's a pretty safe bet most of the time," said Hansen.

The typical standard schnauzer peaks between the ages of three and seven. Hansen said a standard schnauzer won the overall champion at the Westminster competition since 1996.

The 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is February 9th and 10th at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Breed judging is at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.