Annual dog show takes over Greater Sudbury this weekend

An annual dog show competition is underway in the Greater Sudbury community of Coniston.

Hosted by the Sudbury and District Kennel Club, around 600 dogs will be competing over the course of three days for the Dog Show Championship at the Toe Blake Arena.

Hosted by the Sudbury and District Kennel Club, around 600 dogs will be competing over the course of three days for the Dog Show Championship at the Toe Blake Arena. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

"We bring our judges from all over -- we've got a judge here this weekend from Mexico," said organizer Sue O’Neil.

"It's a process of elimination for people and their dogs for all three days."

Dogs are grouped into categories based on their breed’s function. The top four in each group move on to compete in Best in Group, and then Best in Show.

Two dogs will be awarded Best in Show titles each day of the competition.

Laurel Deptuch is a confirmation judge from Vancouver Island. She said the dogs aren’t judged by comparison, but rather to the breed standards.

"Each standard tells us what the dog should look like in order to perform its function. It also shows us the character of what the dog does," Deptuch said.

"Also, a very important aspect for us is temperament and health. And every dog at this show is probably health tested and genetically tested to see that they're healthy."

The event showcases a number of vendors and educational opportunities. O’Neil said the event is designed to promote purebred dogs and help prospective dog owners choose a breed that is right for them.

Matching dogs with the person

"Not every dog is good for every person," she said.

"So, if you come and say, I want a springer spaniel, can you take it out a lot? It's very high energy. It's an educational thing as well as a fun thing."

Tatyana Jonassen is a dog handler originally from Thunder Bay who now lives in Sudbury. She’s been participating in dog shows since she was four years old.

"My mom's a bulldog breeder, so I've kind of got dragged along with her to go to the shows, and I've just been showing ever since," Jonassen said.

Jonassen said hours and hours of hard work goes into preparing for a dog show.

"When we're not at the shows, we're either bathing, training, grooming, doing all the upkeep on the dogs and making sure that they're well taken care of," she said.

"My dog is a bulldog and they are stubborn. So, our training, it never ends."

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The Coniston event has been around for at least 30 years. O’Neil said the event has grown over the years.

"We've had a lot more participation -- we have a lot more breeders out there," she said.

"We have a lot of young junior handlers that come and learn from little age. Their parents bring them, they learn how to handle a dog."

The event runs until Sunday. Family pets will not be allowed in. The spectator fee is $5 per adult. Children are $2 but must be accompanied by an adult. Families can spectate for $10. Seniors older than 55 get in free.