Who knew that dedicated dog fanciers from all corners of our country begin the new year at the Kennel Club of Palm Springs dog show? Held on the magnificent grounds of the Empire Polo Grounds on Avenue 51, off Monroe in Indio, this year’s event is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, January 6 and 7. Judging begins at 8:00 AM each day, with group judging commencing midafternoon. On Thursday, January 4, and Friday, January 5, there will also be individual breed specialties, in addition to sporting, toy, hound and non-sporting breed groups showing obedience and rally competition each day. Attendance is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 10,000 dog lovers each day.
The Kennel Club of Palm Springs conducts two of the largest all-breed dog shows in the country, with over 7,000 entries over the weekend. Approximately 170+ AKC-recognized breeds, some of which are rarely seen by the public, may be represented. Top winning dogs and their owners and handlers come from all parts of the country to compete for championship points, as well as the coveted group and best-in-show awards. Judges, too, come from all over the country and abroad to adjudicate the wide variety of AKC-registered breeds.

On Saturday, the club will host “Meet the Breeds” in the vendors building. There, pure-bred dog breeders will be on hand with their dogs to answer questions about their specific breeds and their availability, and the dogs themselves will no doubt love to be petted!
General admission is free; parking is $10.00. Great food and beverages will be available, as well as a wide variety of unique pet toys and other hard-to-find doggie items in the club’s Vendor Mall.
Everyone is welcome, and spectators are encouraged to come and bring their lawn chairs for a relaxing day of doggie fun.

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Editor’s note: To enter your dog in the KCPS dog show, entries must be received by the Dog Show Superintendent no later than noon on December 20, 2017 PST. Visit jbradshaw.com for more information.