SEQUIM — Dancing dogs, dogs doing tricks and a puppy show are planned at the 23rd annual Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club dog shows this weekend along with the more traditional conformation shows, rally and obedience trials, and FastCAT competitions.
Some 600 dogs are entered each day of the three days of dog shows which begin at 9 a.m. today and continue at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Sequim High School football stadium at 300 W. Fir St. All days end at about 5 p.m.
Visitors can avoid construction on Fir Street by taking Third Street from Washington Street to get to the show.
Admission is free for observers, although parking is $5 per vehicle each day. Only dogs entered in events are allowed on the grounds.
Several vendors will sell dog-related items as well as clothing and metal and glass art pieces.
Three all breed confirmation dog shows are scheduled; these are the only contests restricted to purebreds only.
“All mixed breeds and purebreds compete in everything except confirmation,” said Lorraine Shore, president of the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club.
Obedience and rally trials are expected to be finished by noon each day, Shore said.
FastCat (coursing ability test) on Saturday and Sunday — all day beginning at 8 a.m. — will time individual dogs as each one chases a lure down a straightway in 100-yard dash.
“It’s really fun to watch,” Shore said. “You’re watching these dogs go all-out for 100 yards.”
The dogs that acquire enough points can earn national rankings in their breeds, she said.
Trained dogs will go through their paces at noon Saturday. They will do everything from simple tricks such as high-fiving or going into a grate on command to dancing or other amazing skills, Shore said.
Speaking of dancing, the Emerald City Canine Freestyle Dancers will show off their steps at noon Saturday and Sunday, Shore said.
Also planned at noon Saturday is a puppy show for dogs 4 months to 6 months old.
An eye clinic is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For a $30 fee, Dr. Nathan Kice will exam a dog.
Owners are told to bring their dogs’ registration papers and microchip information.
During the TDI/CGC test from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, therapy dogs and canine good citizens will undertake a series of exercises that prepare them to visit hospitals and nursing homes.
For more information, see the Hurricane Ridge Kennel Club’s Facebook page.
A judging program with more detail about the show can be found at barayevents.com/docs/1467/document_5770.pdf.
