Sun staff
Dogs of all shapes and sizes could be found at the Clermont County Fairgrounds Sept. 6-8 during the Clermont County Kennel Club Dog Show.
The show featured three days of classes and a variety of different dog breeds including Weimaraners, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and more.
The show began Sept. 6 with a specialty Weimaraner show and continued Sept. 7 with classes for other breeds.
Sandy Harris, a member of the Clermont County Kennel Club board, said the organization has been hosting the annual show for years.
“We had the show for many years at Live Oaks,” Harris said. “We outgrew it.”
Harris said they have had the show at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville for about 10 years.
Harris said they had 500 entries in the show on Saturday and Sunday. She said that often, participants will travel to the show for the weekend and either camp out or stay in nearby hotels.
“It’s fun to go to the show and camp,” Harris said. “You meet people from all over, you make lots of friends.”
Dog owners, breeders and handlers from Ohio and surrounding states came out to the fairgrounds to participate, watch and enjoy spending time with friends.
Megan Strickland, of Madeira, and Renee Ross, grew up together showing dogs.
“We like the camaraderie,” Ross said about participating in shows.
Strickland showed her and Ross’ Golden Retriever JoJo at the event, and the two friends said a lot of work and preparation goes into showing dogs.
“There is a lot of conditioning that goes on before you get here,” Ross said.
Ross said each dog breed was bred to have specific characteristics and part of showing is making sure the dog displays the characteristics.
Ross said Golden Retrievers are known for their ability to catch and retrieve things, for their long coats, and more.
“The judge wants to see that the dog can do the job they were bred for,” Ross said.
Ross said they work on toning JoJo’s muscles, conditioning her, taking care of her coat, and more to prepare for the show.
And when she’s not showing, Ross said JoJo gets to do what most other dogs do.
“She’s a normal dog at home,” Ross said.
Billie Thompson, another member of the kennel club, said classes at the show include all breed classes, specific breed groups, as well as best in show. The show also included obedience classes, rally classes, and more.
Thompson said the club was selected to host the specialty Weimaraner show this year.
“Specialties are an honor for any club to put on,” Thompson said.
She said most of the participants in the specialty show stayed to compete in the all breed show the following days.
According to Harris, the show is the only American Kennel Club show that takes place in Clermont County.
Harris said breeders, owners or exhibitors of pure bread dogs can participate in the Clermont County Kennel Club.
More information is available on the club’s website www.clermontcountykc.org.