Finally! Your chance to eat cake with 150 dogs

The Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club, in celebration of its 200th dog show, is hosting three days of events at the Community First Curling Centre located at 124 Anita Blvd. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today (Saturday) and Sunday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

Full text of a news release issued by the Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club follows:

This year, through thousands of volunteer hours, and the hard work of its members over many years, the Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club is celebrating its 200th Show! The Club originated in 1964, calling itself The Soo and District Kennel club, and remains subject to the Canadian Kennel Club’s Constitution and Code of Ethics.

The first all-breed sanctioned show took place in July 1966 at the Avery Stadium. In the ensuing years, shows were held at the old Memorial Gardens, the McMeeken Centre, and at the Sault Armouries.

Obedience became part of the show in 1979, with rally trials beginning in 2010. Canine good citizen testing was offered as of 2012. In 1968 the club name was changed to the Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club, and in 1987 incorporated as a not-for-profit club.

The public is encouraged to come and watch the show, meet the dogs, and talk to club members and exhibitors from all over Canada and the U.S.A. who are great sources of information about anything dog-related. There is no entry fee, and you may even find something you like at the silent auction. And there’s cake… come out and help us celebrate this milestone!

Obedience and rally trials are exciting – watching an owner and ‘man’s best friend’ working together as a team is really something to see. Fun fact: Recent rule changes with the Canadian Kennel Club allow mixed breed dogs to compete in working events!

There will be approximately 150 dogs in attendance at this show with over 50 breeds (some of them you’ve probably never even heard of) represented in the conformation show. There’s an ‘exhibition only’ class for baby puppies, ranging in age from three months to under six months, which is always the crowd favourite. Who can resist a cute puppy? You can’t predict what a puppy will do, but you just know they’ll make you smile, and probably laugh a little.

The Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club is located at 76 4th Line West, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., (formerly the East Korah Hall). We care about and promote responsible dog ownership, and provide education to the general public by way of seminars, community events, and through training classes at different levels: basic (puppy manners), intermediate (so you can enjoy taking your dog for walks/out in public and not be embarrassed) and advanced (so you can brag about how perfect your dog is, while someone else is being dragged around by their dog).  

Other classes offered are in rally, obedience, agility, show handling, and preparation classes for the CGN (Canine Good Neighbour) certification. Some take classes with the goal of attending performance events and gaining CKC titles, some attend so that their dog learns manners and they learn how to communicate with their dog, and others attend just to spend time and have fun with their dog. At times, our Instructors may offer private lessons. Our members own pure breed dogs, mixed breed dogs, and some don’t even have dogs – but we all LOVE dogs.

The Club is active in the community, with bi-annual ‘Meet the Breed’ events at the Station Mall, annual Dog Show, visits to Algoma University and the Public Library, and a few of the members belong to therapy dog organizations, visiting schools and retirement facilities.

To find out how to become a member, or for more information about classes, look us up here.