Watch the breed rings at any dog show and you’ll see them people who’ve spent good money entering their dog, yet they look like a hot mess in the ring. Maybe you know this person, or maybe you are this person. Read on for the top five mistakes owner-handlers make and how to help your friend (or you!) not make them.
If you’ve spent any time in the dog show world, you’ve heard them. You know… ‘them’ or ‘they’. The mysterious, all-knowing voices who hand out “rules” about winning as if they were carved into stone tablets somewhere at the AKC headquarters in New York City.
Show Name: Elgin Kennel Club Location: Belvidere, IL Show Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 Total Entry: 408 Best In Show Judge: Mr. James M. Fankhauser Show Photographer(s): Wilcox Photo Dog Reg: GCHP Stelor’s Rock Solid CGCA TKI [Dog] Breed: Pointer (German Shorthaired) Handler: Melissa Hungerford Owner: A Partridge, L Estes, D Stelmach & M Hungerford […]
Show Name: Elgin Kennel Club Location: Belvidere, IL Show Date: Monday, July 6, 2026 Total Entry: 457 Best In Show Judge: Mrs. Molly Martin Show Photographer(s): Wilcox Photo Dog Reg: GCHS Silhouette’s Dark Knight [Dog] Breed: Norwegian Elkhound Handler: Erin Olsen Owner: E & K Olsen Breeder: E & K Olsen Reserve Dog Reg: GCHG […]
Dog shows are competitive by nature, but the people who stay in this sport the longest usually discover something important: The ribbons fade. The friendships don’t.
Show Name: Longshore-Southport Kennel Club, Inc. Location: Norwalk, CT Show Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026 Total Entry: 496 Best In Show Judge: Mr. Michael Faulkner Show Photographer(s): John & Andrea Ashbey • Website: johnashbey.com Terri Hirsch • Email: terrihirschphotography@gmail.com Dog Reg: GCHS DC Topsfield-Lebrera Vision Goodbye Mr Chips [Dog] Breed: Basset Hound Handler: Candy Carswell […]
Show Name: Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association Location: Fletcher, NC Show Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 Total Entry: 838 Best In Show Judge: Mrs. Linda Clark Show Photographer(s): Bryan McNabb • Website: www.mcnabbphotos.com Dog Reg: GCHG Tamarack Valley View River Of Dreams [Dog] Breed: Setter (Gordon) Handler: Stacy Threlfall Owner: Dr. E Shanahan & S […]
Show Name: Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association Location: Fletcher, NC Show Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Total Entry: 722 Best In Show Judge: Mrs.Vicki Allenbrand Show Photographer(s): Bryan McNabb • Website: www.mcnabbphotos.com Dog Reg: GCHG Pizzazz Kurly Kreek Raise A Ruckus [Dog] Breed: Retriever (Curly-Coated) Handler: Tristen Miller Owner: S & M Shifflett Breeder: I […]
Show Name: Mount Ogden Kennel Club, Inc. Location: Logan, UT Show Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 Total Entry: 708 Best In Show Judge: Ms. Lee Anne Bateman Show Photographer(s): Tyler Crady-Roche • Website: www.allbreedphoto.com Dog Reg: GCHS CSG Summitt Rockytop Nickleblack At Carlin FDC BCAT CGC TKN ATT VSWB FITB [Dog] Breed: Black & Tan […]
Show Name: Mount Ogden Kennel Club, Inc. Location: Logan, UT Show Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Total Entry: 750 Best In Show Judge: Nicholas G. Frost Show Photographer(s): Tyler Crady-Roche • Website: www.allbreedphoto.com Dog Reg: GCH Adare Redridge Playing With Luck [Bitch] Breed: Setter (Irish) Handler: Monica Lamontagne Owner: M Lamontagne & L Tiffany Breeder: […]
