43
Dog show boasts 2,125 dogs, 163 breeds
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
CANFIELD
AKC All-Breed Dog Show
Gallery
The Steel Valley Cluster hosted a AKC All-Breed Dog Shows at the Canfield Fairgrounds Saturday. The dog show runs Thursday July 31 and runs through Sunday August 3.
People filled Canfield Fairgrounds on Saturday, most of them joined by at least one dog.
They were there for the Steel Valley Cluster, four dog shows sponsored annually by the Mahoning-Shenango Kennel Club, Beaver County Kennel Club, Columbiana County Kennel Club and Fort Steuben Kennel Association. Each club is responsible for one day of the four-day event.
It is so large that Saturday’s show, hosted by the Beaver County Kennel Club, featured 2,125 dogs representing 163 breeds. People from all over the country attend with their dogs to try to earn the best-in-show title.
“The majority of the dogs are here for four days,” said Phil Thomas, president of the Beaver County club. “It’s four completely different shows.”
Tiffany Knox traveled from Tulsa, Okla., for the cluster.
Knox, a professional dog handler, travels every weekend to dog shows. She particularly likes the Steel Valley Cluster for the large number of entries it attracts.
“Dogs have to win [a show] with large numbers in order to finish their championship,” Knox explained.
Depending on the breed of dog, it can be difficult to find a show with large enough numbers. Some breeds are more popular in some parts of the country, she said.
Knox parked her motor
home on the fairgrounds and settled in for the duration of the show.
“We’ll be showing dogs all day and doing some shopping on the fairgrounds, and just enjoying the beautiful weather.”
One of the dogs she showed, Chacha, a flat-coated retriever, had a good day Saturday.
“She got best of winners and became a new champion,” Knox said. “So it was definitely worth the trip.”
The Spicer family of Austintown loves dogs and owns three.
“We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Carol Spicer. “This is our first time at a dog show. It’s really interesting seeing all the breeds.”
The Spicer family tried to choose their favorite breed at the show, but found it hard. They have never before seen some of the breeds.
“I’d like to have one of each,” said Dan Spicer, Carol’s husband.
They are glad a large show is so close to home.
“We’d come back again,” Carol said.
Also offered at the cluster was micro-chipping of dogs, eye and heart clinics and more. Vendors sold a variety of food and dog products. The event, which ends today, has taken place annually at the fairgrounds since 1992.