It’s the dog days of summer.
The Campbell River Dog Fanciers Society hosts its 29th annual Canadian Kennel Club dog show this weekend at Nunns Creek Park.
The public is invited, to come out and cheer on their favourite dogs as they go head-to-head to be named best of their breed and at the same time, earn points toward their championship title.
The show is free to the public and features three all-breed championship shows, four rally obedience trials (one each on Saturday and Sunday), and one obedience trial on Monday.
Cathy Merrithew, one of the organizers, said 210 dogs are expected to compete. The judges who will be looking at the dogs’ movement, their coat texture, teeth and body structure, overall balance, as well as attitude and behaviour based on their breed.
The judges are coming from Oregon, Ontario, Alberta, the B.C. Interior and from as close as Duncan. Participants in the show are coming from as far away as California, Oregon, Washington state, Alberta, and the Lower Mainland.
Campbell River’s event kicks off nine straight days of dog shows on the Island (three in Courtenay and three in Victoria), which give serious competitors the chance to finish off their titles within the week. To become a champion, a dog needs 10 points.
Merrithew’s 10-year-old whippet Niles is already a champion but has been unable to compete since he was neutered.
This year Niles will be able to return to the ring because the Canadian Kennel Club has sanctioned a new category – for spayed and neutered breeds.
“We’re pretty excited about that because we have a lot of beautiful dogs that are spayed or neutered,” she said.