All-Breed Dog Shows and Obedience Trials Spectator's Guide

The MAKC Annual All-Breed Dog Show is two days of fun and learning for the whole family!

There will be over one hundred different breeds in attendance at the Marshfield Area Kennel Club Annual Dog Show--from Afghan Hounds to Welsh Corgis, and everything in between. You'll also find great food, and vendors selling just about everything imaginable related to dogs. Plan on leaving with more than you came!

This year's show will be held August 16^th and 17^th, 2003 at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Marshfield, Wisconsin. [See Map] Showing begins at 8:00 am each morning and runs into the early afternoon. You'll probably want to print a copy of the Judging Program for Saturday or Sunday once entries close to get an idea of what time your favorite breeds are showing.

Two Areas of Competition...

Conformation The "Beauty Contest" of the dog world. Impeccably groomed dogs will strut their stuff while judges evaluate how close they come to meeting the ideal standard for their breed, which describes physical attributes from top to tail, temperament, and even proper movement.

Junior Showmanship showcases the future of the dog sport. Showmanship is a competition that evaluates how well a youngster grooms and handles a dog as they would in the conformation ring. In this competition, the dog's conformation is not evaluated...only the child's skill in presenting the dog. Juniors is a great way for your child to get starting showing dogs. You can find the conformation and juniors rings in the Youth Hockey Building.

[Learn more about Conformation or Junior Showmanship]

Obedience

[Learn more about Obedience]

Dog Show Etiquette

• Always ask the owner before petting a dog, and teach your children this important rule.
• Approach the dog from the front and allow the dog to set the pace by giving him a chance to sniff your hand. Do make sure your hands are clean!
• Keep food out of reach, and away from the obedience rings.
• Don’t block the entrance to the show rings.
• Wait until after the class to ask questions and pet the dog. Most handlers will be nervous right before showing, and may be warming their dog up or grooming. This is a competition, you would not ask a pole vaulter or race car driver to stop right before their event to chat with you!
• Because of high foot traffic, strollers are best left at home to avoid injuring dogs.
• Visit the education booth for brochures and information about purebred dogs, dog shows, performance events, and more.
• Please! Leave your pet at home! Unentered animals (besides service animals) are not allowed on the grounds, and are likely to misbehave since they aren't accustomed to the bustling atmosphere of a dog show.

Quick Links

• View and Print our Premium List (PDF)
• View Map of location and Site Amenities
• See Weather Averages for August 16-17
• See Weather Conditions & Forecast for Marshfield
• See 2002 BIS and HIT Winners
• See 2001 BIS and HIT Winners
• See 2000 BIS and HIT Winners
• See 1999 BIS and HIT Winners
• Test your breed knowledge with our Name That Breed! Quiz