Hundreds of canines will compete to be the top dog at the St. Clairsville-Ohio Kennel Club dog show this weekend at the Belmont County Fairgrounds in St. Clairsville.
Kay Moore, secretary of the St. Clairsville-Ohio Kennel Club and chairperson for the show’s rally and obedience events, says the American Kennel Club (AKC) sanctioned show is returning to the fairgrounds after a 10-year hiatus.
“Years ago, we had all of our shows in Belmont County, and we ended up joining a cluster in Jefferson County, so we were there for a number of years,” Moore explained. “And then the host club moved up to Canfield, so we couldn’t go there anymore because we are not located in Jefferson County. So, we had to go back to our home county.”
AKC rules require clubs to hold events within 125 miles of their home region. The St. Clairsville-Ohio Kennel Club shows date back to the 1980s when they started with “fun matches” and now have advanced to full conformation shows where purebred dogs compete for championship points.
The club is also offering obedience and rally events this weekend, and Moore added that there is even a competition for puppies just starting out in the dog show world.
“We do have a 4-to-6-month puppy class both days, and that’s like the puppy’s introduction to dog shows,” Moore explained.
Moore said 300 dogs are entered each day with owners traveling to St. Clairsville from across the U.S. She said one person from California is bringing their dog to compete.
“There are dogs that are entered from all over the states. We know we have at least one from California, so they travel a good distance to get here,” Moore said.
She also explained that people of all ages and skill levels show their dogs. There is a junior showmanship competition for kids ages 9 to 17.
“We do start with junior handlers, 9 years old. So, they start young. And then that’s how they get a lot of experience in juniors,” Moore said.
There are also professional handlers who earn their living by showing dogs. Some junior handlers work as apprentices for the professionals to begin a career path.
“A lot of those kids go on to maybe get jobs with professional handlers, helping them out. They learn a lot that way, and some of them go on to do handling careers,” Moore said.
Most people at dog shows are owner-handlers and compete for the love of their dogs and the sport..
“We also participate in what’s called the owner-handler competition so, there are professional handlers in the regular shows, and it’s probably the only sport I can think of that the professionals and the novice people are in the same competition against each other,” Moore said. “But then they also offer an owner-handler competition separate from that.”
The secretary explained that the original purpose of dog shows was to evaluate dogs for breeding stock but now many people compete to bond with their canine companions.
“The original purpose of a dog show is to evaluate breeding stock. Some of these dogs might never be bred, but that’s what was the original purpose of the show. A lot of the professional handlers are in it to win it, ’cause that’s how they make their living.
“A great many of the owner-handlers, they win their first ribbon in a puppy class, and then they’re hooked,” Moore said. “They do it just for the joy of entertainment and bonding with their dog. And to me, that’s what it’s all about.”
Economic Impact on Belmont County
Moore said the show brings competitors to Belmont County and benefits the local economy and tourism. She said people will travel to St. Clairsville this weekend just for the show and will be spending money locally.
“We have people flying in,” she noted. “Most of our judges are flying in from other states, so we have to put them up in hotels and motels. People are driving in. We have a great number coming in. I do know 90% of our 4-to 6-month puppy group are from 300 miles away. So they’re coming in from all over.
“They’re going to buy gas. They’re going to eat their meals around the St. Clairsville area. They’re going to stay in the motels. Some of them will go shopping. They might show their dog at 9 o’clock in the morning and they’re not back again till the next day,” Moore explained. “So, they’ve got a lot of time to go (shopping) and spend their money. It does have a great impact on the businesses in the area.”
The AKC completed a study in 2022 showing the economic benefit of dog shows to local communities. The study says “exhibitors at AKC conformation dog shows spend an average of $982 per show weekend.
This means spending by AKC dog show exhibitors for a show weekend could inject more than $2.15 million into the local economy, and because AKC dog shows are an educational and family-friendly event, large spectator gates can generate additional revenues for cities and towns statewide.”
Moore said that even though 300 dogs are entered, that’s not really a “huge” number for a dog show because some shows draw thousands of dogs. For its return to Belmont County, the St. Clairsville-Ohio Kennel Club show is making its mark for competitors and on the local economy and will hopefully become a staple attraction in coming years.
Show Schedule: When Can You Watch Your Favorite Breed?
The show takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11 at the Belmont County Fairgrounds, 45420 Roscoe Rd. in St. Clairsville.
The show begins at 9 a.m. and wraps up around 2 p.m. each day. Breeds are judged at specific times, and the winners advance through group competition to Best in Show.
You can find the show schedule listing ring times for each breed here.
Moore said it only costs $5 for parking to enter the dog show, so it’s an affordable day out for families and visitors.
“It doesn’t matter how many people you have in your car. It’s only $5, so it’s pretty cheap entertainment.”
Show Etiquette
Moore said the public is welcome to visit the shows but following some show etiquette will make your experience more enjoyable.
Please leave your pet dogs at home. Entries for the shows are closed and no unentered dogs are permitted on the show grounds.
Families and children are welcome, but no baby strollers are permitted in the show buildings.
Wait until the dog and handler leave the show ring before you ask to meet the dog or ask questions.
“The best time, though, is after they come out of the ring, not before, because before they compete the handlers get nervous. The dogs are probably nervous because their handlers are nervous,” Moore explained.
She added that the public can also watch handlers grooming their dogs, and this may also present a good opportunity to talk to the handlers and meet the dogs
“If you want to meet a certain breed, there’s going to be people outside probably grooming and some inside grooming,” Moore said.
Moore said the shows are all indoors in three separate buildings at the fairgrounds with the main show rings at the Carnes Center.
Local exhibitors
Moore is also the owner of Gold Star Kennel in Cadiz, Ohio, where several Ohio Valley residents competing in this weekend’s show train. Some warmed up for the event earlier this week at a handling class taught there by Siberian Husky breeder Tyler Wells of Smithfield, Ohio.
Harleigh Schaffer of Bloomingdale, Ohio, is competing in conformation with her American Brittany puppy, Chaya. Before moving into conformation, Schaffer participated in Fast CAT (Fast Coursing Ability Test), an AKC-timed dog sport in which dogs run 100 yards while chasing a lure.
She also participated in dock diving and is interested in becoming more involved in dog sports. Schaffer works at Heritage Veterinary Clinic in Hopedale, Ohio.
Sam Choffel of Hopedale has been showing dogs for six years and is looking forward to this weekend’s show. Choffel works as a veterinary assistant at Heritage Veterinary Clinic and is showing an American Brittany named Nell. Maddie Marshall, also of Hopedale is also showing a Brittany.
Dean Ward of Dillonvale, Ohio, will be competing in conformation with his dog, Calypso, an Australian Cattle Dog.
There won’t be 101 Dalmatians at this weekend’s show, but you can see this reporter’s Dalmatian, Dahlia, compete. There is also a show just for Dalmatians sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Dalmatian club next weekend in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
Learn How to Show Your Dog
If you would like to learn more about dog shows or competing in dog sports, contact Moore at Gold Star Kennel by calling 740-942-3262 or by email at goldstarkennel@frontier.net
Moore offers dog training and show handling classes at Gold Star Kennel.
“We do have handling classes. We do have a puppy class. We do have obedience classes, and also something called barn hunt, which is a new sport that’s a lot of fun.
All dogs can compete in that,” Moore said.
