Valley groups host dog show

By ELISE FRANCO

People come from all over the country and from other countries.

CANFIELD — “No dogs allowed” is one sign you won’t see at the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Thursday kicks off the four-day-long Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club Steel Valley Cluster-Dog Show.

“These are four of the largest shows in the country,” said Joanne Weber, Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club chairperson. “We are in the top 10, if not the top five every year.”

The show began in 1990 when Beaver County Kennel Club and Columbiana County Kennel Club joined with Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club at the show grounds, according to the Steel Valley Cluster Web site.

Weber said it’s the largest outdoor dog show in the country — even bigger than the well-known Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

“People come from all over the country, and from other countries like Canada and Mexico,” Weber said.

More than 150 breeds will compete for Best In Show, and each of the four days is expected to pull in up to 3,000 entries.

Judging begins at 8 a.m. each day and goes until the Best In Show for each breed has been chosen, Weber said.

On Thursday, dogs will compete in the Fort Steuben Kennel Association show, Friday the Columbiana County Kennel Club show, Saturday the Beaver County Kennel Club show and Sunday the Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club show.

The sponsor of the event, Pedigree dog food, is offering a year’s supply of Pedigree brand dry food or 12 cases of canned food for each of the four Best In Show winners.

“We’ve had Pedigree as a sponsor for many years,” Weber said. “They have a booth here, and they give us money and advertising.”

She said other vendors will be on-site as well, selling food and gifts for both human and pooch.

“Spectators are welcome,” Weber said. “But people shouldn’t bring their pet dogs, because it’s too hot and too crowded.”

One person who will be on hand at every show is Bob Monsler of Cornersburg, who is in charge of the Youngstown Tail Waggers, a 4-H Club.

Monsler, along with 30 members, will man the Pooper Scoopers to make sure the rings are clean.

“You should see them,” he said. “They go pick up everything. They’re so nice, and they love to learn about the dogs.”

Admission for the show is $5 per car each day. More information and a schedule of events is available at www.steelvalleykennelclub.org.