Missouri is host to many dog shows.
Dog shows, also called conformation or bench shows, provide an opportunity for breeders and owners to obtain objective evaluation of their dogs' conformance to the breed standard. All-breed shows are open to all AKC-recognized breeds, and specialty shows are open only to dogs of a specific breed. Some dog shows also offer obedience, rally, agility and junior showmanship competition. Other events that are sometimes called dog shows include obedience and agility trials, herding tests or trials, coonhound hunts and tracking trials. Missouri is home to multiple events in all of these categories throughout the year.
St. Charles Missouri Kennel Club
The Missouri dog show year starts off with the St. Charles Missouri Kennel Club shows in January. SCMKC holds two all-breed shows back-to-back, on Saturday and Sunday. Obedience, rally and agility competition are also offered, as well as junior showmanship.
The Gateway Cluster
In May and September, the Jefferson County Kennel Club of Missouri, the St. Louis Dog Breeders Association and the Spirit of the Heartland Kennel Club join to host the "Gateway Cluster" of dog shows, with each club holding a show on a different day. The Gateway Toy Dog Fanciers Club often joins the Cluster, with entry limited to breeds that belong to the toy group. National breed clubs also commonly hold shows as part of the Gateway Cluster.
Mississippi Valley Kennel Club
In June, the Mississippi Valley Kennel Club holds back-to-back dog shows. The Saturday and Sunday all-breed shows are preceded by specialties on Friday. Clubs that hold specialties in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Kennel Club include the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Greater St. Louis, Gateway Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of Greater St. Louis, Gateway Sporting Dog Association and Afghan Hound Club of St. Louis.
National Specialties
A number of breed parent clubs hold their national specialties in Missouri, at Purina Farms in Gray Summit. The Purina site was designed specifically to meet the needs of dog clubs, with indoor and outdoor ring and trial areas and, starting in the fall of 2010, an 84,000-square-foot indoor event center. In addition to conformation events, the facilities can host obedience, rally, agility, herding and lure coursing.
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