2012 Westchester Kennel Club Show Pix

The Four-Day Cluster at North Branch Park ended yesterday with the Westchester Kennel Club dog show.

Enjoy these pictures of the activities in the show rings...

2012WestchesterKC Ring - how to make a free slideshow

And all dogs love to pose - especially if they think there is a chance that the photographer may have a snack...

2012WestchesterKC Portrait - how to make a free slideshow

Junior Showmanship Competition
In these classes, dog handlers age 9-to-17-years - divided by age and experience - exhibit their handling skills, ability to follow the judges' directions, dog knowledge, and extraordinary composure.

2012WestchesterKC Juniors - how to create a free slideshow

For more information on AKC Junior Showmanship, start here.

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This Lost Dog poster was hung at the show for a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Tori lost in Raritan Township. There was more information on Facebook at The Ridgeback Register:

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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford...who is sorry that her new slideshow software keeps cutting off the right side of the pictures.

2012 Somerset Hills Kennel Club Show Pix

Today the HNJJ crew attended the Somerset Hills Kennel Club Show at North Branch Park in Bridgewater.

The obedience dogs were fun as always...

2012 SomersetHillsKC Obe - how to make a free slideshow

...and the breed dogs are always on show and ready to pose...

2012SomersetHillKCBreed - how to make a free slideshow

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The Four Day Cluster finishes tomorrow, Sunday, with the Westchester Kennel Club Show. Judging starts at 8:00 a.m. and finishes at 2:25 p.m. with Variety Groups and Best in Show. Be sure to watch for the Junior Showmanship Competition at 12:45 p.m., the Puppy Competition starting at 11:00 a.m., and the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Westchester Kennel Club's website is here.
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Photographs courtesy of Susan Gulliford.

The 2012 North Branch Cluster Dog Shows

Local dog lovers have an exciting weekend ahead with the four-day North Branch Cluster Dog Shows starting tomorrow and continuing through Sunday - the first day devoted to specialties followed by three days of major dog shows - all held at nearby North Branch Park at 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater, NJ.

The weekend starts on Thursday, September 6th with Sporting, Hound and Non-Sporting group shows including the Big Apple Sporting society, the Central New Jersey Hound Association, and the Non-Sporting Group Club of the Garden State.

On Friday, September 7th, Tuxedo Park Kennel Club kicks off the first of the three all-breed shows with the judging of the 1,320 dogs entered starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending with Variety Group and Best in Show at 2:30 p.m.

The cluster’s cornerstone club has been Somerset Hills Kennel Club (SHKC) and this year will mark their 78th all-breed dog show. Their show will run from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 8th. Lisa Warren, last year’s show chair for SHKC said, “This is a very special weekend for those in the dog fancy. A special attraction to this year’s cluster will be The American Kennel Club’s new Beginner Puppy Competition. Puppies from 4–6 months will compete for the title of Best Beginner Puppy in Show. It’s sure to be one of the most enjoyable events for spectators.”

The weekend winds up with Westchester Kennel Club on Sunday,September 9th, with judging starting at 8 a.m. The Variety Group winners and Best in Show judging starts at 2:15 p.m.

This year’s cluster will host another special event. Cupcakes from the famous Carlos Bakery in Hoboken, NJ will be on sale at the Saturday (Somerset Hills Kennel Club) and Sunday (Westchester Kennel Club) shows. Proceeds will benefit “Take The Lead” an organization that provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of life-threatening or terminal illness. On Saturday afternoon, Mauro Castano, head baker for Carlos Bakery will make a personal appearance in support of this effort. Mauro will be available to sign autographs and pose for photos. T-shirts commemorating the event will also be on sale.

There is no charge for admission or parking to the shows. Attendees can purchase food and a wide range of dog product vendors will be on-site. With all AKC breeds represented, it will be a great event for dog lovers and prospective puppy buyers will have an opportunity to see different breeds up close and speak with knowledgeable owners and breeders.

Dog Lover's Heaven

Central Jersey dog lovers have an opportunity to indulge their doggie devotion this weekend with some of the largest dog shows in the tri-state area being held right here at the 4-H Fairgrounds on Milltown Road in Bridgewater.

Today (sorry, too late) the Tuxedo Park Kennel Club Show was held with 1,400 dogs registered [see above slide-show]. Tomorrow, Saturday, is the Somerset Hills Kennel Club Show with 2,000 dogs entered. Sunday the Westchester Kennel Club Show will be held with about 1,600 dogs.

This is an opportunity to see the breeds that may interest you and, when they aren't showing, talk to the owners, handlers, and groomers working with the dogs.

Don't only watch the breed competitions (sometimes called the beauty shows), but take time to see the obedience dogs do their thing.

There are also a number of vendors there. Although they aren't likely to be the cheapest around, they will probably have that one odd item that you have been trying to find. Food is available for purchase, although, once again, not the cheapest around.

Also, notice how quiet the show grounds are with thousands of dogs there.

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Just a few dog show etiquette tips:
*Don't try to talk to handlers who are waiting to go into the ring; they are working at that moment. The same with the groomers.
*Don't distract dogs who are in the ring by hanging on the fences, calling the dogs, or offering them treats. It isn't fair to distract them after all the hard work they put in to get that far.
*Keep your children well-behaved and under control. This isn't a playground.
*If you dog is well-behaved, under control, and up-to-date with all shots, you may take them onto the show grounds at these shows. [This is not true at all shows.]
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I don't know why they had to go to a dog show to see other dogs when they have me...

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For more information on the Somerset Hills Kennel Club show schedule, go here.

For information on the Westchester Kennel Club Show go here.