From August 21st through August 23rd, the Island Grove Regional Park will serve as the location for the 2021 Greeley Kennel Club AKC Dog Show. One of the largest dog shows west of the Mississippi River, this year’s show will see upwards of 2,500 competing dogs. Competing breeds are divided into groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, and Miscellaneous Class. The first stage of the competition involves the breed classes. For instance, all competing English Settlers in the Sporting Breed group will be judged against one another, and the winner of this stage is awarded the Best of Breed. All of the Best of Breed winners in each group move on to the Group Ring competition. In this round, judges award first, second, third, and fourth in each group. The first in each group compete for the Best in Show award, the top award for the show.
While this stage of the competition is taking place, dogs in the Obedience and Rally Classes will also be competing. The Obedience Class sections include Novice, Open, Utility, Preferred, Beginner, and Graduate. Tasks in this competition range from retrieving, jumping, walking on and off the leash, etc. Essentially competitors are expected to display their ability to follow instructions. The Rally Classes competition is similar in that dogs and their handlers complete an activity course together. The Junior Showmanship competition gives participants 9 to 18-years old the opportunity to develop handling skills and learn the proper competition procedures in dog shows. Junior Showmanship also helps train young handlers to learn the judging process.
The annual show is a part of the Rockies Summit, which includes one show in Cheyenne, WY, and seven shows spread between Greeley, Aurora, and Grand Junction. The show in Greeley particular brings in international judges, as well as competitors from all over the country. With Island Grove Park as the location, the Greeley Kennel Club will provide expansive competition space for participants, judges, and attendees. There will be a variety of vendors on-site selling supplies, toys, souvenirs, and even artwork. Interested attendees can visit the Greeley Kennel Club for more information, www.greeleykc.com.
