Thousands of dogs compete at annual dog show

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The Star Beacon

By Stacy Millberg

MADISON TOWNSHIP - - Thousands of dogs and hundreds of different breeds are represented this weekend at the Regatta Classic dog show co-sponsored by the Grand River Kennel Club (GRKC) and the Ashtabula Kennel Club.

The three-day event is being held at Bill Stanton Community Park, 5585 Chapel Road.

Fridays show, hosted by the GRKC, featured 965 dogs with 127 breeds represented. Saturdays show, hosted by the Ashtabula Kennel Club, featured 1,325 dogs, with 133 breeds represented and todays show will feature about the same as Saturday, said Dave Johnson, grounds chairman.

"Anyone who is interested in seeing different dogs or a particular breed, heres the ideal opportunity to see them," he said.

Dogs from all over the country and Canada compete for the title of Best in Show. Each day is a separate show, so three dogs will be named Best in Show, he said.

This is the 58th year for the event, with Stanton Park playing host for it the last six years. Several vendors are on site selling dog supplies and related items.

"There is even a vendor that can take a your dogs remains and turn it into a diamond," Johnson said.

Dogs competing in the shows are awarded points based on how many dogs they are competing against. The points then go toward their national championship, he said. All breeds are divided into seven different groups. Each breed competes to earn the title of Best in Breed, he said.

"If there are 20 breeds in a particular group, those dogs then compete to be best in that group," Johnson said. "After the winner is picked from each different group, those seven dogs compete for Best in Show."

Most of the dogs compete based on their appearance and their movement in the ring. There also is a Junior Showmanship category for kids ages 9 to 18. The Junior Showmanship competition is based on how well the kids present the dog in the ring, he said.

"There are a lot of dogs here that are already champions," Johnson said. "They are competing for Best in Breed on a national basis."


Johnson said he was very pleased with the turnout. Initially he was concerned the high cost of gas would interfere with peoples travel plans, but it didnt seem to have a negative effect, he said. More than 100 RVs are parked on the property for the show.

Todays show will begin at 8 a.m. and go until about 4:30 p.m., he said. The event is open to the public with a $3 charge per vehicle for parking. Dogs that are not competing are not permitted at the show, Johnson said.