Come one, come all dogs of every shape, size and breed.
The Kelowna Kennel Club is hosting their spring sanction match, April 8 at the Winfield Memorial Hall.
“You’ll get great danes to chihuahuas,” said Kelowna Kennel Club member Laura Conzatti.
Conzatti said the sanction matches are mock dog shows for dog owners before competing in the real deal.
“It’s fairly serious, that being said we don’t have to dress up in our finest,” said Conzatti.
Dog handlers are also judged on their handling skills.
Conzatti will be competing in the sanction match with her Bernese mountain puppy Quissa.
She participates in the competitions because “you take pride in your dog and enjoy working with them,” she said.
The dogs can partake in multiple categories, including obedience, conformation meaning how well your dog looks and behaves, and agility which has dogs racing around an obstacle course.
The dogs also compete in different classes, like working dogs or terrier groups, before being selected for the best in a group and then moving on to best in the show, said Conzatti.
Dogs earn points in the judged competitions, and to earn the grand championship title the dog must earn a total of 30 points.
Owners are also judged based on their dress in judged matches, whether they complement the dog’s coat.
But, the sanction match is only for practice. Owners don’t have to dress in fancy attire and the dogs won’t receive points.
The match will be open to the public, so the public can see dogs of all colours as they partake in their practice match.
Dog show competitions will be held during May long weekend.