102nd and 103rd Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows February 28 & March 1, 2009 at Cobo Center

102nd and 103rd Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows February 28 & March 1, 2009 at Cobo Center

Annual shows offer star of Marley & Me and special family value pack ticket deal

DETROIT, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows return to Cobo Center to entertain and educate dog lovers from all over the Midwest. The two-day Celebration of Dogs, proudly presented by Purina, allows visitors up-close and personal time with breeders, owners, handlers and over 2,000 dogs from the 161 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Two special guests will be on exhibition at this year's shows: "Uno," winner, 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and one of the stars of "Marley & Me" (shhh..and yes, he is a Yellow Lab). Dog aficionados are invited to pack the Best in Show ring stands on Saturday night for the taping of the 102nd DKC Dog Show for later broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (under 12) and senior citizens (60 and over). Children under the age of two are free. Family packs (2 adults, 3 children) are also on sale for $35. Tickets will be sold separately for each show and are good only for that day's show. Group rates are available by calling (248) 540-5206. Dogs will be on display to the public and demonstrations will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Best in Show will go into the ring approximately 6:00 PM each day.

"We are very excited to present this year's show," said Detroit Kennel Club President Erik Bergishagen. "These shows are so much more than competitions; they are a tribute to the relationship between master and dog and the role that dogs play in everyday life. Many of our visitors are families that may not be ready for a dog but come to do their homework and to be entertained. Times are tough right now and we made sure that the show is a true value. Annually, our goal is to send our guests home thinking, 'I'd like to try that with my dog or when I get a dog I would like to do pet therapy, compete in agility, conformation or whatever,' if we achieve that then we have served our community," added Bergishagen.

The DKC shows are a 'benched show', which offer visitors the unique opportunity to meet with owners and breeders and learn about breed characteristics, temperament, care, health, grooming, history and other issues for dog owners. When dogs are not in the judging rings, they are required by the rules of the show to be displayed on a bench according to breed, making it easy for a spectator to talk to several breeders of a specific dog in the same location. The DKC Dog Shows are one of only six benched American Kennel Club (AKC) shows left in the United States (Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Portland and New York).

Special Events Make the DKC Dog Shows One-of-a-Kind

The 102nd/103rd DKC Dog Shows are packed full of fun for the entire family. No other show in the Midwest brings as many canine special events, vendors and demonstrations under one roof. Demonstrations include AKC agility trials, pet first aid & CPR, K-9 officer demos, Leader Dogs for the Blind, terrier racing, pet therapy, Dog Scouts of America, herding, retriever and field training, breed seminars and Gazehound demonstrations.

   CONTACT:   Media Matters, Inc.   Jenny Schilp   248.225.6744   jschilp@mediamattersdetroit.com  

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Source: Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows

CONTACT: Jenny Schilp of Media Matters, Inc., +1-248-225-6744,
jschilp@mediamattersdetroit.com

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