Detroit

Dog lovers pack Cobo Center for annual shows

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

DETROIT — In their 50th year, the Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows at Cobo Center were once again a huge hit March 6-7, with hundreds of people flocking downtown to interact with more than 3,500 dogs on display.

“It’s really nice to be at this dog show — people can come and interact with the dogs, and we can show what our dogs have to offer to the public,” said Melanie Rouse of Clawson, who shows her border terriers more than a dozen times a year, but especially enjoys the shows at Cobo.

The unique thing about these particular shows is that they’re “benched,” which gives the public a prime opportunity to get to know each and every breed — more than 154 of which were on display this past weekend.

“Because it’s a benched show … the dogs have to remain up here on the bench during certain hours, and that way the public can come and see the dogs,” said Denise Wieneke of Riverview, who was showing German shepherds. “Most dog shows now are unbenched, which means that we come to the show, we show at a certain time and we get to go home. I do enjoy it because I do like to be able to represent my breed and to educate — I like to educate people about my breed.”

CJ, a St. Bernard, was a hit among show-goers, with children and adults alike stopping by to pet the soft coat of the gentle giant, who laid down and even rolled over to accommodate his admirers.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” said Robert Hower of Brighton, CJ’s owner. “They want to be with you — they’re trainable, you can do a lot of things with them, and they’re just your best friend.”

“They’re great companions,” echoed Rouse. “They’re really loving. They’re just great for the soul, and that’s why I love my dogs.”

The sentiment was shared by Beth Caywood of Pittsburgh, who drove hundreds of miles to attend her very first dog show with her 8-month old puppy, Chloe. Caywood’s 14-year-old dog recently passed away, and when the new puppy came into her life, she decided to try out the world of dog showing.

“It’s been so much fun meeting the other owners and breeders,” Caywood said of her two days in Detroit. “It really has been a good experience.”

So much of the event is an educational experience for show-goers, as there are a lot of things about dogs and specific breeds that many people are unaware of, and breeders like Sandy Robson of Milford hope to spread the word.

“They’re so diverse — there’s so much more to (dogs) than just the pretty picture you see,” Robson said. “It’s the breeding of the dog, the temperament of the dog, how you train the dog, breeding lines, the genetics — it’s actually, it’s quite complex.”

Other than the shows for each breed, and the interacting with all the dogs on display and their owners, the event also featured things like agility competitions, obedience trials, terrier races and hunting dog demonstrations. There were also booths set up around the room for vendors of all things dog related, from food to collars to beds to portraits.

“It’s just an all-around fun atmosphere,” Rouse said.

“I like the camaraderie, the competition, (and) the seeing all the people and dogs,” Hower said of the show.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1108.