Dancing with Dogs at Chicago Dog Show
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You haven’t lived until you’ve seen people dance with their dogs. You haven’t gotten into the cooking sherry, you read this right. In fact, it’s a canine sport called Freestyle. At 1 p.m. on January 31, I will be announcing Dancing event at the International Kennel Club of Chicago Dog Show dog show. At 6:30 AM CDT Sunday, February 1, World Canine Freestyle Organization Founder Patie Ginger Ventre and president Anna Schloff will appear on Steve Dale’s Pet World, WGN Radio. You can listen at 720AM or here.
International Kennel Club of Chicago Dog Show is January 30, January 31 and February 1 at McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Drive). Listen HERE, WGN Radio, Steve Dale’s Pet World, to a conversation about what the show is all about with Show Chair Susan Olsen.
The dog show part – conformation, where dogs are judged – features some of the nation’s top dogs. What’s more the IKC dog show is one of the few benched shows left, which means you can meet the participants. It’s like going to a Blackhawks hockey game and getting to talk with Jonathan Toews. You can meet the various dogs, and speak to breeders, everything from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. There are also many breed specific rescue groups that will be there too. I will announce the Group event, and Best in Show on Sunday, starting around 2 p.m.
The dog show features many vendors, selling everything from natural dog treats to natural products to remove the brown from that stain on grass from dog urine to antique dog stamps – you name it – it’s at the dog show. There are also obedience and rally competitions.
But now back to dancing with dogs – the World Canine Freestyle Organization event is like dancing with the stars, except instead they are dogs. “Musical Freestyle is a choreographed musical program performed by handlers and their dogs. The object of musical freestyle is to display the dog and handler in a creative, innovative and original dance, using music and intricate movements to showcase teamwork, artistry, costuming, athleticism and style in interpreting the theme of the music. Heelwork-to-Music incorporates traditional dog obedience and the art of dressage with the inclusion of musical interpretation, dance elements, and costuming with an emphasis on non-standard obedience movements.”
The dog show Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1: Tickets – Adults $20 (1 day) – $25 (2 days)
Seniors $12 (1 day) – $17 (2 days) Children under 12 are free.