Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Canine aficionados in Virginia have plenty of opportunities to see dogs strut their stuff in the Old Dominion. Dog clubs hold American Kennel Club (AKC)-sanctioned shows throughout the state where you can watch your favorite breed or learn about unfamiliar ones.
This club, founded in the 1930s to promote purebred dogs and their breeding, holds AKC-sanctioned all-breed shows in the spring and fall. Shows feature conformation and obedience classes and are held at the historic Long Branch Farm in Millwood, VA. Each winter, the Old Dominion Kennel Club of Northern Virginia hosts a show for dogs new to showing and allows exhibitors to improve their showing and handling skills.
Old Dominion Kennel Club of Northern Virginia, Inc.
11701 Popes Head Road
Fairfax VA 22030
703-278-8090
odkc.org
This AKC show, held in early spring at Kempson Park in Virginia Beach, features puppy and adult classes as well as an open division. Puppies are divided into several age ranges: three to six months, six to nine months, and nine to 12 months, in best of breed or variety. Adult classes also include bred by exhibitor. The show includes junior showmanship classes for children ages eight to 10 and 10 to 13. At this show, professional handlers and their immediate family may only show their own dogs.
Tidewater Kennel Club of Virginia
tidewaterkc.org
Established in 1940, this all-breed club holds two AKC-recognized shows over the Memorial Day weekend. The shows are held at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, VA, with over 150 breeds represented. While these shows are based on conformation or adherence to an ideal type for each breed, AKC obedience and rally trials are held at the same venue. Obedience has several skill levels, while rally is less rigorously scored. A fairly new dog sport, rally is a combination of obedience and agility.
Langley Kennel Club
langleykennelclub.org