Hundreds of success hungry contestants gather from across America to partake in the most prestigious of dog shows in the country, The Mayflower Dog Show. We follow this hilarious story of the owners and their pets as their ready themselves for the event.. and the event itself.
Needless to say that it isn't long before we see that the dog owners are just as diverse as the species of canine in this event.
Firstly there is Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest) who owns a flyfishing shop in North Carolina. He thinks that his trusty bloodhound, Hubert will be first of his kind to win the competition.
Then there's Meg (Parker Posey) and Hamilton Swan (Michael Hitchcock) who are successful lawyers from Illinois. Their pooch, Beatrice the Weimaraner however, is somewhat of a neurotic which should be interesting in the later stages.
Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy), the mild mannered salesman from Florida, with the help of his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) prepare their Norwich Terrier, Winky.
Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and his partner, Stefan Venderhoof (Michael McKean) from New York, are sure their beloved Shih Tzus, Miss Agnus, will most definately be the winner.
Then, however, there is the sickeningly rich Leslie Ward Cabot (Patrick Cranshaw) and his sassy young wife, Sherri Ann (Jennifer Coolidge). They are certain that their beautiful Standard Poodle (two-time winner already!), Rhapsody in White, will not be parting with her crown this year. Besides they've hired Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch), an expert dog handler, to insure this victory.
Meanwhile, back at the Mayflower location. The Kennel Club President, Dr. Theodore Millbank III (Bob Balaban) and the show chairman, Graham Chissolm (Don Lake) have the preparations well under control.
Finally, with the shows commentators, Trevor Beckwith (Jim Piddock) and Buck Laughlin (Fred Willard) are in place. The hundreds of contestants come together under one giant roof, and the much awaited competition starts as television cameras bring the wonderful world of dogs to millions of people at home.
But who will be the coveted winner of this prestigious cup? You will have to watch it to find out!