Canfield's gone to the dogs

Dog Show-Steel Valley Cluster

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Owners and handlers have brought their dogs to the Steel Valley Cluster Dog Show since 1990 with one goal in mind: Winning.Gael Dameron, chairwoman for the Fort Steuben Kennel Association, said the event’s opening day on Thursday brought 2,185 dogs in 153 different breeds to the Canfield Fairgrounds.

Steel Valley Cluster Dog Show

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Owners and handlers have brought their dogs to the Steel Valley Cluster Dog Show since 1990 with one goal in mind: Winning. Gael Dameron, chairwoman for the Fort Steuben Kennel Association, said the event’s opening day on Thursday brought 2,185 dogs in 153 different breeds to the Canfield Fairgrounds.

A longtime breeder and handler said The Steel Valley Cluster Dog Show is one of the area’s largest summer dog events.

By ELISE FRANCO

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

Owners and handlers

have brought their dogs to the Steel Valley Cluster Dog Show since 1990 with one goal in mind: winning.

Gael Dameron, chairwoman for the Fort Steuben Kennel Association, said the event’s opening day Thursday brought 2,185 dogs in 153 breeds to the Canfield Fairgrounds.

The show is hosted by the Mahoning County Kennel Club, along with the Columbiana County Kennel Club, the Beaver County Kennel Club and the Fort Steuben Kennel Association and has become one of the largest cluster dog shows in the country.

“It’s more of an event than it is a show,” Dameron said. “It’s a cluster of shows and events throughout five days.”

Dameron, who has been show chairwoman for five years, said she was surprised and pleased to see that the number of registered dogs was down only about 100 from last year, despite the poor economy.

“I think it’s because of the convenience of having everything in one location,” she said. “It’s more inviting.”

Though the weather forecast calls for high temperatures and a chance of rain throughout the weekend, Dameron said the show will go on.

“The only time it’s ever shut down is if there’s an extreme amount of lightning or flooding,” she said. “We play in the mud, so bring your rain gear and boots.”

While many dogs were walked around the fairgrounds on leashes, one pup got the royal treatment.

Gwenn Weyandt, of Derry, Pa., her daughter Janee, 6, and their 3-year-old Boston terrier Rocky, drove the grounds in a tropical-themed golf cart.

Weyandt said she’s been handling for 10 years, and she and Rocky love this particular show.

“We like the atmosphere out here, where a lot of different people come from all over,” she said.

Weyandt said Boston terriers are her breed of choice because of their calm temperament and the long family history.

“They’ve been in my family since the 1920s,” she said. “They’re a well-rounded, family-oriented dog and very outgoing.”

Rocky, also known as Ch. Keynote’s Knockout Kid, is the 2009 champion of the Top Boston Event at the Boston Terrier Club of America Nationals. The dog’s full name is registered with the American Kennel Association.

Jack Patterson of Masury said he’s been in the breeding business for more than 50 years and was a handler for at least 40 years.

“I’ve always had a love for dogs,” he said. “I did my first show in 1956.”

Patterson said English foxhound is his breed of choice. He said as a handler he showed one hound who took home 55 Best In Show titles.

“We love the breed, but they’re not for everybody,” he said. “I like mostly sporting and hounds and working breeds.”

The local aspect of the event is what Patterson said draws him in. He spent Thursday morning in a lawn chair watching the handlers of foxhounds he bred.

“I belonged to the Mahoning, Shenango and Columbiana kennel clubs for many years,” he said. “It’s like a home show, a good show. It’s probably the largest show in the North during the summer.”

Alongside Patterson was George Gordon, of Bristolville, who said he’s been judging dog shows since 1983.

Gordon, who specializes in 14 terrier breeds, said the judging criteria is strict and differs depending on breed.

“All breeds have types,” he said. “As a judge you have to have a picture in your mind of what that type is.”

The event runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, with Best In Show judging beginning at 8 a.m. each day. The cost is $5 per car, per day.

“So far, everything’s going well,” Dameron said. “It’s a lot of work, time and dedication put in by a vast majority of dog lovers, lovers of the sport, the event and the animals.”

efranco@vindy.com