As the Numbers Go Up, Participation Goes Down

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416 – September, 2025

By Will Alexander

Three shows a day? Hose me down! Okay, that’s a bit much but I’m hoping I caught your attention.

In the mid-nineties I wrote an article titled, Is The Doomsday Clock Ticking for Ontario Dog Shows? As clubs were collapsing, and entries plummeting, the CKC decided to allow limited shows–two shows a day. This was an attempt to resuscitate failing clubs. They allowed limited shows to help the clubs in remote areas hold events without losing money for their efforts. It was thought that lower dog populations and distance from populated areas were the main cause of low entries; and individuals in these areas–with the same passion as we all have–found it difficult to form clubs that would survive. With the chance to attend two shows a day, this encouraged exhibitors to make the trek to such remote locations. The result was these clubs survived, and exhibitors in these areas were able to compete in the sport they love.

My issues with this concept started when clubs located within three to four hours of Toronto, the most populated city in Canada, used it. This did not adhere to the rule of events being restricted to remote areas.

Click here to read the complete article
416 – September, 2025

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