Pekingese

If you happen to be a fan of Labrador Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs or Silky Terriers, you stand a greater chance of being audited by the IRS than having your favorite breed capture Best in Show at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this week.

Renowned Las Vegas handicapper Johnny Avello should know. He's director of race and sports book operations at the Wynn Las Vegas — and he's just released his breed-by-breed-odds-to-win prediction for Westminster.

Rolling the Dice on Who Will Take The Best in Show Title

Avello has successfully predicted five of the past six winners. His only stumble came last year, when a Scottish Deerhound named Hickory — a true underdog at 60 to 1 odds — claimed an upset victory.

So who's his Best in Show pick for this year? A Pekingese — at 6 to 1 odds.

According to Avello, when it comes to nabbing the top dog award at Westminster, breeds are listed at 300 to 1 odds. For comparison, the chance of being audited is 175 to 1.

Rounding out the top 10 as odds-on favorites tapped by Avello: Cocker Spaniel (7 to 1), Wirehaired Fox Terrier (8 to 1), Affenpinscher (9 to 1), Smooth Coated Fox Terrier (10 to 1), Kuvasz (11 to 1), Whippet (12 to 1), English Springer Spaniel (14 to 1), Boxer (15 to 1) and Miniature Pinscher (16 to 1). For a complete list of Avello’s odds for all the breeds vying at Westminster, click here.

Odds in Other High Stakes Events

Curious about how the Westminster Dog Show odds compare with those in other sports? Vegas oddsmakers offer these predictions:

Winning the 2012 NBA championship: Miami towers over the rest at 5 to 2 odds, with Minnesota at the back of the pack at 200 to 1 odds.

Winning the 2012 World Series: Philadelphia is the favorite at 9 to 2 odds, with Houston a long shot at 300 to 1.

Winning the 2013 Super Bowl: Green Bay is the early favorite at 5 to 1 odds, with Cleveland getting a dismal 100 to 1 chance.

Other Fun Odds for Consideration . . .

Getting a hole in one in golf: 5,000 to 1

Winning an Academy Award: 11,500 to 1

Getting struck by lightning: 576,000 to 1

Becoming president of the United States: 10,000,000 to 1

Winning the California lottery: 13,000,000 to 1

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Presented by Purina will air February 13 and 14 on the USA Network and CNBC. Click here for full viewing details.

Read more of Vetstreet's Westminster Dog Show coverage here.