A great experience for dog lovers came to Lethbridge at the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club annual dog show.
Exhibition Park was filled with dogs and dog lovers Nov. 19-21, 2021, as dog owners from all over competed in conformation shows and agility and rally obedience trials.
Conformation shows split breeds into seven different groups for judging. Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. Each breed first competes for the best of breed and then the best of each breed competes for placement in their group. The winners of each group then proceed to compete for best in show.
Agility trials are essentially an obstacle course for the dogs to run. These courses include jumps, ramps, weave poles, tunnels and more obstacles for the dogs to navigate.
According to the Canadian Kennel Club, “obedience trials were designed to test the dog’s suitability as a good companion.” In obedience trials the dog/handler team goes through a command course including things like heeling (both on and off lead), sit, stand, stay and coming when called among others.
Aside from the competing aspects of dog shows, these events are great for making connections with other dog lovers and for learning about all dog breeds.
Cathy Cinnamon, a keeshond and pomeranian owner/handler, says her favourite part about shows is the connections she’s made.
“It’s a fun sport, it’s good for families and we love the camaraderie and the friends that we’ve met.”
While this year’s Lethbridge show was closed to public spectators due to COVID-19, regularly these shows bring in many people from the community that love dogs and want to learn about specific breeds and some that just want to see an event they may want to participate in.
Dog shows also present great opportunities for individuals or families that are interested in adding a dog to their home. Being able to see first-hand things like size comparison, behaviours and mannerisms of different breeds and talking to the owners/breeders of those dogs to find the best breed of dog to fit in with an established lifestyle and family setting.
Junior handling is another great experience for families to participate in. The junior handling program allows kids aged 4-17 to participate in specific conformation and obedience shows designated for junior handlers. Kids can learn about how to care for, train, groom and compete with dogs from a young age. Even without a dog to show, many kids interested in junior handling can still find the opportunity to participate. There are always handlers at every dog show that are willing to allow kids to use their dogs to enter a junior handling show.
Evelyn Sera, the advertising chairperson and COVID coordinator for the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club says that these shows and events are about more than competing for titles.
“One of our main goals is to help people in terms of responsible dog ownership”
The Lethbridge and District Kennel Club hosts three main events every year. In April is the rally/obedience trials, in July is the agility trials and in November is the conformation show. All these events are open to public spectators when COVID-19 restrictions allow and the kennel club welcomes and encourages everyone to come watch the shows and learn more about shows and breeds.
More information about the Lethbridge dog show events can be found at lethbridgekennelclub.com or on the Lethbridge and District Kennel Club Facebook page and upcoming events held by other kennel clubs in Alberta and across Canada can be found at canuckdogs.com.
