Classy Canines at Kenai Kennel Club annual show...
12-year-old Chris Manzo-VanderVoot of Eagle River, with 1st Place Standard Poodle "Jolie."
The three days of dog shows sponsored by the Kenai Kennel Club is becoming more popular every year. One local first time visitor this year commented, "I was totally taken by surprise, I've never seen so many different dogs in one place in my life, and Skyview looked like a camper city, if I hadn't heard it was a dog show I would have thought it was some kind of travel home extravaganza, but I had never seen the agility trails before, and I was very impressed and found it super entertaining."
According to Sherrie Petty, president of the Kenai Kennel Club, this year's show was the best ever and had a strong showing in all the groups, "It was absolutely marvelous, we had people come from out of state to show their dogs as well as local people and dog owners from Anchorage, Fairbanks, and all over Alaska. This year we had a special tribute to our juniors and of course the weather was just wonderful," said Petty. It was the fifth year that the Kenai Kennel Club shows have featured Agility trails and Petty said they are growing in popularity, "All ages and breeds of dogs can run, they have to be AKC registered, but it is a very fun sport for both the dog and the handler," explained Petty. Taking the coveted best of show title Saturday was an out of state Irish setter and the Sunday's best of show was a Portuguese water dog named "Clipper," also from out of state. Spectators averaged 300-400 each day which Petty credited to the fantastic weather for all three days. Plans are already underway at the Kenai Kennel Club for next years show, "Our biggest problem is parking, we are running out of space and everyone loves to come to Kenai and spend a few extra days fishing, so it has become a very popular show," said Petty. Complete results from the Kenai Kennel Club shows can be found at www.rogersdogshows.com .