Five Fantastic Dog Shows in the Pacific Northwest
As a dog owner and animal enthusiast who has lived in the Pacific Northwest my entire life, standout dog showing, agility, and showmanship events in the geographical area tend to draw my interest and attention. From the famous Rose City Classic in Oregon, to British Columbia’s Pacific Kennel Club Show, this is a list of the best, most popular dog shows in North America’s beautiful Pacific Northwest region.
1. The Rose City Classic
The Rose City Classic is a very well-known and long-running dog show that takes place each year in Portland, Oregon. According to the show’s website, the Rose City Classic spans five days and includes representatives of around 185 diverse dog breeds. One of the most popular dog shows in the U.S., the Rose City Classic is the perfect show for spectators of any age. From grooming, obedience, and specialty performances and demonstrations to four days of all-breed dog shows, where dogs from across a wide range of different breeds compete for the title of “Best in Show,” the Rose City Classic easily earns its place at the top of this list.
2. Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show
Seattle, Washington’s biggest and best dog show was started by the Queen City Dog Club in the 1890s; since then, the Queen City Club has been renamed as the Seattle Kennel Club, or SKC, and become an American Kennel Club member club. The SKC’s shows are held once a year in the spring—in 2017, the show was held over the weekend of March 11th and 12th on Seattle’s Century Link Field. From obedience contests, agility shows, and herding demonstrations to junior showmanship and vendors selling dog-related goods and services on-site, the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show has it all. Although you’re not allowed to bring your own dog to the show unless they’re registered to compete in any of the events, the SKC show provides plenty of opportunities to admire and cheer for some of Seattle’s greatest show dogs.
3. Olympic Kennel Club Dog Show
Another annually-held show worth checking out is the Olympic Kennel Club Dog Show. This year, the show spanned four days from August 17th to the 20th, and included a variety of diverse shows and trials to challenge participants and entertain spectators. With on-site vendors selling dog-friendly goods of all kinds, and plenty of space to park RVs for attendees wishing to stay overnight, this show, held in Enumclaw’s Expo Center, is a fantastic way to spend a day (or four!) From incredible agility trials to frisbee, water retrieval, herding, and obedience shows, the “fifth largest dog show in the U.S.” is definitely worth checking out.
4. Pacific Kennel Club Show
The only show on this list that doesn’t take place in the United States is the Pacific Kennel Club Show. It is held at the Hazelmere RV Park and Campground in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. This year, it took place in July, spanning four days from July 27th to the 30th. After twenty-two years of hosting events, the Pacific Kennel Club is another gem among Pacific Northwest kennel clubs. Apart from the many opportunities and activities that the Pacific Kennel Club Show offers participants and spectators, it also gives new dog show judges the chance to obtain their judging licenses by judging shows at the four-day summer event. If you’re interested in getting your dog show judging license, or if you’re a dog lover living in or are visiting BC and want to check out a fun and entertaining dog show, the Pacific Kennel Club Show is the place to go.
5. Washington State Fair’s AKC Summer Dog Show
Held every summer in the Mattress Firm Showplex at the state fair in Puyallup, Washington, the Washington Fair AKC Summer Dog Show spans three days and includes a broad range of activities and spectacles for participants and onlookers alike. From AKC all-breed dog shows, demonstrations and breed-specific shows (such as duck herding for collies), to a pee-wee junior handling event for the kids, Washington State Fair’s AKC Summer Dog Show is fun for the whole family!
Have you ever been to a dog show in the Pacific Northwest? How was the show? Which city or town was it in? Leave a comment and let us know!