Corey Titon of Sudbury enjoys some play time Friday with Denzel, her five-year-old Toy Manchester Terrier at the Sault Kennel Club’s 2023 Dog Show. This year’s show continues through Sunday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Dogs. Dogs! Dogs!!!
Show dogs from Michigan, Wisconsin, across Ontario, and Quebec, are in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend for the Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club’s (SSMKC) three-day annual Dog Show.
The John Rhodes Community Centre is the host venue for the first time following several years at the Sault Curling Club and last year’s stint at the Laird Fairgrounds.
Lexi Bougie of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., holds her two-year-old French Bulldog, Sloan, at the Sault Kennel Club’s annual Dog Show Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Bougie says Sloan, a registered therapy dog, is still new to the confirmation ring.
“This is her second year doing it,” she says.
Bougie adds the weekend show at the Rhodes has been fun.
“Very nice turnout this year. I’ve met a lot of new people and the judges were excellent.”
Kirsten Wilson of Sault Ste. Marie, with 10-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, Fancy.
Fancy won Best Veteran in Group on Saturday.
She’s owned by Roseanne McQuarrie of Rivermyst Kennels in Timmins.
SSMKC President Kim Doan says the weekend of shows is off to a great start.
“Things are going way better than expected,” she says. “There’s been a great amount of visitation, the public coming in to see the dogs and asking us how dog shows work. I can’t believe the number of people we’ve had through the doors.”
Doan says roughly 100 dogs are entered for confirmation and then about 25 are pre-registered for obedience and rally. She expects another 20 or so dogs will enter into the rally portion on the day of competition.
Lindsay Brunettte of Chelmsford cuddles her 11-month old Border Collie, Jora, at the Sault Kennel Club’s annual Dog Show, Saturday.
“We could have 135 to 150 dogs each day,” she says.
About 50 breeds are expected to compete and most dogs will be looking to garner points towards a Canadian Championship in their class. Larger competitions offer winning hounds the chance to pick up a greater amount of points.
11-month-old Dot (Dorothy) strikes a pose with her owner, Carrie Bordeau, of Sudbury at the Sault Kennel Club’s annual Dog Show, Saturday. The English Springer Spaniel had quite a day at the John Rhodes Centre, as her winning ribbons (at right) will attest “I’m having a great time and Dot’s having a great time, and that’s what’s most important,” says Bordeau.
Doan credits the City of Sault Ste. Marie and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie for making the 2023 show at the Rhodes Centre possible.
“We’ve had a lot of promotion for this year. The City of Sault Ste. Marie and Tourism Sault Ste Marie have done email blasts to the public and we can’t believe how many people are coming in and donating. It’s wonderful because we’re donating half of the proceeds to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society,” says Doan.
“Bruce Wayne”, a Giant Schnauzer, celebrates his third birthday Friday by hugging personal assistant Katie McCartney of London at the Sault Kennel Club’s annual Dog Show at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Bruce is a Canadian champion and claimed 2nd Place in Best In Show, Saturday.
With the local Humane Society currently at its capacity, “I don’t think this show could have come at a better time for either of us,” she adds.
Sudbury’s Dianne DesRoches shares a quiet moment with her Great Dane, Sookie.
Most of the competing canines are from out of town, “roughly 90 per cent” says Doan. If that local number of ten per cent sounds low, Doan explains many local dog owners are working the show “and it’d be kind of a conflict of interest” if local staff entered their pooch.
Sydney Robinson, of Ottawa, with Joy, her eight-month-old Shetland Sheepdog. The pup needed just three points to become a Canadian champion as of Friday.
But there’s another, perhaps even bigger reason. “We’re the ones booking the judges and it wouldn’t look so good if I was to put my dog in the ring, and win,” she adds, laughing.
Doan is hopeful the Sault’s annual show has found a new home.
“We’re hoping…it’s a great venue,” she says. “It’s great because it has amenities, the restaurant and the cafeteria. Churchill Plaza and the (Station) Mall are close by. Bellevue Park, with green space for walking your dog is also close. We’re hoping we’re here (at the Rhodes) next year, but we’ll see.” T
The show began Friday morning and runs Saturday from 9 a.m. until roughly 4 p.m. and
Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation
Kandi Wright of Sault, Michigan with Ellie, her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. Ellie will turn four in August.
Wright says the weekend is going great.
“I love the show. I just have a short trip across the border. There’s always nice, helpful people around which is nice because I’m new at it.”
Brenda Aelick of Echo Bay with her four-year-old Australian Shepherd, Pippa, at the Sault Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show, Saturday.
“I just love the sportsmanship and the connection to my dog,” says Aelick says of attending various dog shows.
Pippa won High in Trial in Obedience on Saturday.
Quinn For The Win
Robin Marttunen of Thunder Bay, gives her dog Quinn a victory hug Saturday at the Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club’s annual Dog Show.
Quinn, a nine-year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel, won Best In Show and is the No. 1 Welsh Springer Spaniel in Canada.
Sure would be nice to see the pictures in a quality size without having to zoom out 693%.