From pomeranians to labradors, more than a thousand dogs and their handlers from across the region are competing in a dog show in Omaha/Council Bluffs this weekend. Pam Swisher, with the Nebraska Kennel Club, says there are 11-hundred pampered, purebred pooches registered for the main event.

“They’re entered in confirmation which is really the beauty show of the dog show world, where judges look at the dogs and judge the dog which represents the breed standard the closest,” Swisher says. “They’re not really judged against one another. They’re judged against the breed standard.” She says the obedience and rally divisions of the show are also something to see.

“The judge is watching the way the team works together, the way the dog responds to the handler,” she says. “Some of the obedience work is done with verbal commands, some with hand commands. Then we have rally, which is really less formal than obedience, and that’s where different dogs are doing different functions at different stations around the ring.” Swisher says a new feature this year will give those attending a chance to meet the breeds and ask the experts a few questions.

She says, “On Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 10 and 3, a variety of breeders have volunteered to bring their specific breed to the NKC Education booth and let people pet them and get to know a little bit more about what this particular breed was bred for, what kind of temperament they have, what kind of pets they’ll make.” The dog show got underway this afternoon (Friday) and runs through Sunday at the Qwest Center in Omaha. For more information, visit: “nebraskakennelclub.com”.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)