The big show

Calling all dog lovers!

Florida's largest AKC-sanctioned dog show event, the Florida Classic Cluster, is coming to Florida Classic Park in Brooksville from Jan. 12 to16 and from Jan. 18 to 22. The annual event features a total of 10 all-breed dog shows.

More than 9,463 dogs have been registered for the show so far.

Each day a local dog fancier club sponsors the show for that day and each day is considered an entirely separate show with different judges. Dogs competing in the shows are being evaluated against written AKC standards. The closer a dog comes to that ideal standard, the more they are rewarded in the show ring. Sponsors include the Tampa Bay Kennel Club, Pasco Florida Kennel Club, Manatee Kennel Club, Inverness Florida Kennel Club and Clearwater Kennel Club.

Local Weeki Wachee resident and show dog breeder Debbie Kennedy will be showing her prized English Springer Spaniels, Diva and Player, at the Florida Classic Cluster. Kennedy has been breeding English Springer Spaniels for eleven years.

"I typically groom, train and show the dogs myself. But I find it equally rewarding to show my own dogs as I do watching them want to please a handler. I can then just sit back and enjoy their beauty and what I helped create. I do this because I love it and want to share this beautiful, intelligent breed with everyone. My dogs are my pets and family members first," said Kennedy.

In addition to the dog shows, obedience trial and rally trial competitions will be held from Jan. 13 through Jan. 16. Obedience trials demonstrate skills in dogs such as heeling, with and without a leash, coming when called, staying in both a seated and down position while the handler stands across the show ring, retrieving objects and responding to hand signals. Rally trials require similar performance skills, but are done while navigating through a course of 10 to 20 stations and scoring is not as harsh as traditional obedience.

Besides the dog shows and the obedience and rally competitions, be sure to check out the Doggie Fun Zone, which is a timed competition where dogs are chasing a plastic lure in a fully enclosed course through agility obstacles. The event doesn't require prior training as it usually brings the dog's natural chasing instinct. It will surely be a crowd pleaser and just plain funny to watch.

In addition, dog rescue group organizations will be showcasing their specific breeds on "Rescue Row" during the dog show event.

Vendors will be available throughout the shows selling pet jewelry, toys, dog food and treats and a "yard sale" of used doggie items and equipment will be held on Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., so if there is anything you need for your dog, this is the place to be in January.

Also on January 17, in lieu of a dog show that day, a charity golf tournament will be held to benefit Take the Lead, a nonprofit organization which provides assistance to people involved in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer from life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The charity golf tournament starts at noon and will be held at the Sherman Hills Golf Club, located at 31200 Eagle Falls Drive in Brooksville. Entry fees are $50 for each player, and include a ticket for the annual BBQ held at the show site on Jan. 17 also. For more info about the charity golf tournament, contact Ron Lombardi at (352) 799-5180.

The dog shows will be held at the Florida Classic Park, located just one mile west of Interstate 75 off of State Road 50 (exit 301), at 5360 Lockhart Rd., Brooksville. All dog show judging and grooming will be outdoors. Show hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $5 for cars; $10 for RV's. Please bring your own lawn chairs as no seating is provided.

For more information go to floridaclassicpark.com or call (813) 480-3975.