If you are looking for a free, family-friendly activity for the kids this upcoming weekend, stop and visit the American Kennel Club Dog Show held on Oct.18-19 at the Galloway Township Municipal Complex located at 300 East Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway.
Every dog that shows to the level of winning the breed and group at big shows like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the Philadelphia Kennel Club Dog Show gets their start by winning at shows just like this one that Gloucester County Kennel Club hosts every year right here in Galloway. Dogs like the 2025 Westminster Winner and Ocean City resident Monty the Giant Schnauzer all started their paths to the big leagues by competing in smaller AKC shows to earn their championships.
Dog shows started decades ago when people kept dogs in the home to fulfill a purpose or a job. For example, most terriers were kept to rid the household of vermin, and most working dogs were bred to either pull something or guard something. Dog shows were a way for people who were looking for the perfect herding breed, like a Border Collie, to move their livestock and to find a dog to breed on their own. Dog show judges are actually evaluating breeding stock and seeing which dog in the ring conforms closest to the AKC standard. As society has evolved and we no longer use dogs like the Scottish Terrier to kill rats in our homes, the popular term being used today is called preservation breeding. The Scottish Terrier today looks the same as the Scottish Terrier of the 1800s, and, whether you want them to or not, they will be ridding your home of whatever it is they consider to be vermin.
Some people think that dog shows are elite affairs. However, I can promise you that they are not. By and large, people who are showing dogs are committed to their breed of choice and revel at the chance to educate someone on their beloved dogs and share them with the world. Smaller shows like this one are a perfect place for the general public to come and learn about a specific breed, as the crowds are smaller than Westminster and the Philly Kennel Club shows.
The Gloucester Kennel Club members fully encourage the public to come out and join in on a lovely day filled with looking at beautiful dogs. Club members are offering dog show tours to explain to everyone what is going on. Just stop at the big superintendent’s tent and tell one of the ladies you are interested. They will gladly show you around. You can view a schedule for the dog show by visiting raudogshows.com and clicking on Judging Programs for the Gloucester County Kennel Club.
If you plan on making the dog show a part of your day, I will be there showing my youngest Champion White Bull Terrier, Champion SoraBully’s Double Down on Sushi Pops, aka Kabuki. I also am always available for questions. Kabuki will also be offering free belly rubs and Bull Terrier zoomies to all interested parties!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
