Whether you're interested in participating with your pooch, or just long to be a spectator, Finding Dog Shows doesn't have to be difficult.

Your Local Kennel Club: A Valuable Resource

To enter the world of dog shows and competition, you have to pass through the portal of any one of the hundreds of kennel clubs around the United States. These clubs are really the only way to begin learning about how to show your dog, as well as getting information on upcoming events and competitions.

Check your local Yellow Pages for kennel clubs, or search online for clubs in your area. You can also ask your veterinarian or professional dog trainer for recommendations near you. Find out if your fellow dog-loving friends have any information you could use.

These clubs come in two different forms: breed-specific and all-breeds. To get started, it doesn't really matter which type you join. What's important is that you join a reputable club with ties to national organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) or Westminster Kennel Club (WKC).

If you merely want to be a spectator, you don't necessarily have to go to the extreme of joining a kennel club. The best way to find dog shows to attend in your area is to look online. Just type "dog show" plus your location in your search engine and see what pops up. You might get results that run the gamut from the local pet parade at a summer block party to the regional qualifying championships for the Westminster Dog Show.

Another good way to get in the know about upcoming events is to offer your services as a volunteer. Get on a kennel club mailing list, and become acquainted with local chapter leaders. You'll get a great alternate view of the show from backstage, or down in the ring as a volunteer. Volunteering is also a great way to become familiar with dog show jargon, requirements, customs, and traditions. You'll learn the competition classes (sporting, working, hound, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding) as well as the hierarchy of awards.

So go ahead and get involved in the exciting world of dog shows. Once you step in the ring, things won't ever look the same.