Hundreds to Compete at Iowa Dog Show

A dog show in the style of the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is bringing almost 650 canines from across the country to Marshalltown Saturday and Sunday for the Heart of Iowa Kennel Club All Breed & Obedience Dog Show.

The annual event has more than a decade of history at the Central Iowa Fairgrounds, where the public can view the competition between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days for an admission donation of $1.

Competition by breed is held in the horse stall barn on the east side of the fairgrounds, grooming is in the pavilion next to the horse stall barn and obedience and rally is in the activity building on the west end of the fairgrounds.

Classified into seven groups, 105 breeds will be judged by professionals who examine each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the breed’s standard, according to show chairperson Shelley Barron. They view each dog’s profile and watch them in action.

Most dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward American Kennel Club championships, she said.

[Source: Times-Republican]