Blackfoot Dog Shows Kick off at Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds
Hadley Bodell
BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – The second-largest event of the year at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds is officially underway–the Blackfoot Dog Shows. The Pocatello Kennel Club and Eagle Rock Kennel Club collaborate to bring the competitions to life.
A dog flies over the pond in the dock diving competition, Thursday, June 11
The shows began on June 11 at 7 a.m. and will go through Sunday, June 14. Entered dogs can compete in a variety of events, including Conformation, which resembles the Westminster national dog show seen on TV each year.
Jay Ferguson, Pocatello Kennel Club’s Show Chair, said they also compete in obedience trials, rally trials, dock diving, and “fast cat” racing. He said the Pocatello Kennel Club has been a part of the Blackfoot Dog Shows for decades, bringing professional dogs and their handlers to the region.
A dog flies over a hurdle jump in the obstacle course, Thursday, June 11
“Many of these handlers go all around the country to the biggest shows and even in Canada,” Ferguson said. “It’s crazy how you can have some of the biggest people in the dog world come to a show in Blackfoot, Idaho.”
Alongside nationally ranked dogs, local dog owners from Pocatello and Blackfoot compete their dogs in various categories. Winners of competitions get ribbons, cash prizes, and even gift cards and merchandise from attending vendors. The large dog show brings out all breeds of dogs–big and small.
High-flying competitor in dock diving, Thursday, June 11
“For Conformation, you specifically have to be an AKC full bred or purebred registered dog, but the other events like agility, they can be mixed breed,” Ferguson explained. “For fast cat, you can be mixed breed and those go on Friday and Saturday.”
Dogs entering in Conformation, agility, obedience and rally had to be pre-registered. But for the fast cat, a 100-yard dash event, dog owners can come day of to enter. Dog diving is also open to mixed breeds registering day of.
A dog high-jumps over a hurdle on the obstacle course, Thursday, June 11
“If you come to the dog show, you’ll see dogs you didn’t know existed,” Ferguson said. “You just see so many different varities of dogs that you never got to see and how other people interact with them.”
Vendors will be on site all weekend with merchandise and treats for the furry friends. Awards will be given out to dogs competing in Conformation like “Best in Show” and “Best of Breed.”
Gates are open at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sunday, June 14.
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