Dog show brings chance for national titles to Hub City

JACKSON, Tenn. — Hundreds of dogs are in the Hub City to compete for a chance to go national.

Classes of dogs go paw to paw in the annual Jackson Tennessee Dog Fanciers Association’s Dog Show.

“They want to see showmanship,” said Barbara Conley, president of the Jackson Tennessee Dog Fanciers Association. “All the breeds are represented that are in AKC shows, and some of the breeds are miscellaneous. They’re not even recognized yet.”

Multiple breeds and their handlers have traveled from coast to coast to compete. While our cameras were there it was confirmation, which is sort of like a beauty contest.

Hunter Richardson and his dog Ember compete in several shows each year. “A lot of training and a lot of patience and a well-structured dog and responsible breeding,” he said.

Each dog is held to a specific standard based on their breed as dictated by the American Kennel Club.

Clint Livingston is a professional dog handler, showing more than 20 dogs this weekend. “You don’t want them to race around the ring. You want them in nice, smooth trots, stacking them,” he said. “Basically, it’s putting the dog together for the judge to go over it.”

After classes, these dogs go on to compete in groups and for the daily best in show honors. Ultimately, the points earned could lead to a spot at Westminster.

Admission is $5 per car through Sunday at the Jackson Fairgrounds.