MACUNGIE, Pa. – Hundreds of dogs are taking over Macungie Memorial Park all looking to be top dog at this year’s Lehigh Valley Kennel Club competition.
It takes a lot of primping and practice to put the best paw forward.
69 News met Tammie Jacobs of Columbus, Ohio, who was with her three Collies.
“You want to fluff up the coat,” said Jacobs. “You want the coat to frame their head, chalk their feet, so there’s a whole process to get them ready to have that regal look.”
The competition started on Thursday and runs through Sunday. Organizers said over 1,000 dogs are competing this year.
The Lehigh Valley Kennel Club has been around for more than 100 years and holds the dogs to the highest standards.
“So, the competition is going on right now is confirmation, obedience, and rally,” said Lehigh Valley Co-Chair Louis Viruet. “So basically, how they meet that breed’s standard and what’s based on that dog’s description of that dog and if it’s meeting the standards from the AKC,” the AKC being American Kennel Club.
This year the competition has expanded to include an All-American mixed breed competition.
While it’s a lot of work, it’s also fun. Susan Shute from New Jersey was showing her dog Rocky and said, “He is just happy and excited to show. We have a great time together being a team.”
Organizers say they hope to expand the competition levels even more next year.