Chelsea Paul, a professional handler of Madison, Ohio, is pictured here preparing her three-year-old poodle, George, for the best in show competition on Friday. Photo by Mary Heyl

DUNKIRK — Today, more than 500 dogs will be competing at the Southern Tier Area Cluster Dog Show, which takes place today and Sunday at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

“It’s a great family event,” said Dawn Frew of Eden, who has been showing and breeding Rhodesian Ridgebacks for the past 13 years. “So many people come and say, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen that kind of dog before!’ It’s just a great opportunity to see not only the variety of breeds but the variety within the breeds, too.”

According to Bob Brosius, chief ring steward, there are 591 dogs entries today, and all will be competing within their breed for “best in breed.” Each day of the show, which began on Thursday, ends with a “best in show” competition in which the best of each breed compete against each other.

On Friday, Frew’s Rhodesian Ridgeback won winner’s bitch and winner’s dog, and she is looking forward to the weekend’s events. “I started out as just a regular pet owner,” she explained. “Someone suggested that I start showing my dog, and that’s how I got started.”

Frew participates in shows throughout the region, but enjoys the facilities at the fairgrounds the most. Dogs compete in the Arthur R. Maytum Theater as well as inside Floral Hall, where several vendors are set up with pet supplies including food, toys and grooming essentials.

The event has also served as an educational opportunity for local students. Frew, who works at North Collins Central School, was excited to see some of her students who attend the BOCES center at Lake Shore at Friday’s events. Each year, BOCES’ small animal science students attend the show to see the many different dog breeds, their unique grooming protocol and more.

“You could spend anywhere from five minutes to five hours grooming your dog for a show,” explained Melanie Pacanowski of Hamburg, whose beagle won best of breed (13 to 15-inch beagles) on Friday. “I think about the shaving at least two weeks in advance of a show but the day-of grooming doesn’t take more than a few minutes.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Chow owners can spend three hours grooming their dogs at home before even arriving at a show. “It all depends on the breed,” said Pacanowski, who has also competed in the Westminster Dog Show.

While winning is a good feeling, both Frew and Pacanowski pointed out that it’s only part of the fun of a dog show. “It’s about making that connection with your dog,” Frew explained. “No matter what — win or lose — your dog is a winner because you had fun together.”

Both commented on the special connection between owners and their dogs, a relationship that begins at birth. “At day one, you begin evaluating the dog and learning what they might be able to do,” Pacanowski explained. “It’s great to begin with that eye contact right away.”

Frew explained that handling classes typically begin around three months of age, with lots of at-home training and practice, too. “When you compete in a show, you’re essentially paying for that particular judge’s opinion,” said Frew. “It’s very important to a breeder, but it’s also a lot of fun. But there are no guarantees.”

While some competitors, such as Frew and Pacanowski, compete in dog shows as a hobby, others, like professional handler Chelsea Paul, whose award-winning poodle has competed throughout the north east, compete for a living. “It’s an expensive hobby,” Frew noted. “For this show, it’s $30 per dog, per day, and I have four dogs here. It’s also $180 to camp here. You could walk out with nothing or you could win every day. You do it because it’s fun, but when you win, it’s good! It carries you to the next show.”

Not only is the dog show a fun, family-friendly event and a great learning opportunity, Frew said it’s a great time to learn about a breed one may be interested in buying. “You don’t always know what you’re getting when you go to an adoption center or ‘backyard breeder,'” Frew pointed out. “But when you go through a breeder, you’re getting their expertise and a very healthy, well-cared for dog. I stay in contact with my dogs’ owners for the life of their dogs.”

Admission for the dog show is $5, but dogs that are not entered in competitions are not permitted on show grounds.

In addition to the breed competitions, the weekend’s events include obedience and trial rallies, the junior showmanship competition and the National Owner-Handled Series, the winners of which will compete at the AKC National Championship in December.