THUNDER BAY — North Shore Dog Club is holding its fourth annual dog show, which started on Friday at Chippewa Park.
The dog show will continue Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seeing between 130 to 140 dogs competing over the weekend.
Yvonne Norton, sponsorship chairman of the North Shore Dog Club, said the club is holding all-breed dog shows this weekend.
“We have both national and international judges and we have a judge from Japan that has come to judge our dogs,” she said.
Norton said there are five shows in total — two on Friday, one on Saturday and another two on Sunday.
“Dog shows are an elimination. So, at the end of every show, there is a best in show winner awarded, a reserve best in show winner, a best puppy in show winner.
“On Saturday, we have two other special events, including Best Baby Puppy. Those are for puppies that are four to six months.
"It's not an official class, but it's really cute. We also have best veteran in show and that is for the older dogs, that probably have been retired, but a show dog is always a show dog.”
The shows start at breed level, Norton said.
“Let's say, for example, all Dalmatians compete, and then we pick the best Dalmatian. Then they go on to the group where similar dogs of the group would compete against each other, like sporting dogs, hounds, working.
“And then after each group the winner is picked, that's when you go into the best in show and one winner is picked out of that,” she said.
Members of the public are able to watch the show as well as bring their dogs to watch.
“For the confirmation show, we have a perimeter where only the entered dogs are allowed, just keep that in mind.
"We suggest if it's really hot, leave your dog at home. As show people, we're conditioned to take care of our dogs in the heat, but your dog doesn't need to at the park when it's really hot; they'll be much more comfortable at home.”
PAWsitively Social Canine Adventures will also attend the show.
Friday was a day of information and demos.
On Saturday and Sunday, Sleeping Giant Dog Sports will be having dog sport ‘fun runs’ in Scent Work, CARO Rally, and Agility.
Sarah Byzewski’s bull terrier, Frankie, was involved in the shows.
Frankie has won both of her groups so far, but it comes as no surprise to Byzewski. Frankie won the terrier group at the Westminster Dog Show in New York.
“It's so much fun. After Westminster, everyone was just so happy for me, and it was just wonderful to have everyone cheering us on this weekend.
"This show is a great show; it’s outdoors, we get lots of exhibitors, and it's just fun being with all of our local dogs — we have great dogs to show here.
Kai Fairbairm, who lives in Thunder Bay, shows a Toy Poodle.
Fairbairm said the best part of these shows is the community we have in Thunder Bay.
“We have a really good community here. Everyone kind of knows each other, and even the out-of-town people are welcome,” he said.
