If you notice some meticulously coiffed pooches around town this weekend you should know you're looking at some fierce competitors. Some of the finest dogs from across the region are in town for the
Arkansas Kennel Club Dog Show. And they're here to win.
A quick grooming session, a water stop and they're ready for the main event: that trip around the ring. People brought 1,000 dogs of every shape and size from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and of course here in Arkansas. Debi Richardson came all the way from Missouri.
"I hope we go home a winner. That was 7 hours, that's a long drive in this heat so I hope we go home a winner," Richardson said.
The judges are looking at these canine competitors with a fine-toothed comb checking appearance and behavior. And the standards are different for every breed. It's something the Kennel Club takes very seriously.
"The judges are educated and tested about what they know about each breed standard," said Diane Wagener with the Kennel Club.
For the winners there's no cash prize. Champions take home a ribbon and some much sought after recognition.
Wagener said, "For the dog owner it's the thrill of competition and winning."
Richardson said, "If I won best in show you'd have to carry me out of here! My husband would have to drive home, drive down and get me."
Those with the
Arkansas Kennel Club say unlike many other dog shows around the region, attendance actually went up this year for this show. And that means Little Rock is a winner too.
Wagener said, "every time you have a show like this you have quite a few people that eat in the restaurants and stay at the motels so it's an economic benefit to Little Rock."
The dog show continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds. You can go check it out but leave your dogs at home. Only animals competing are allowed in the Hall of Industry.
