Everything I knew about Dog Shows coming into this shoot, I learned from two places. Best in Show, the hilarious movie from the production team that brings us movies like Spinal Tap, Mighty Wind and Waiting for Guffman. The second is the hilarious Dog Show skit with Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell from SNL. (I tried my damnedest to find a clip, because it’s hilarious.)  None exist that I could find.  If you have one, please send a link!

Anyway, what they both have in common is that they poke fun at the ridiculousness of such events.  And to that end?  They are not far off!  Dogs in curlers, hair spray, barrettes blow dryers, etc.  The owners?  An eclectic mix to be sure, but for the most part really nice.

The dogs were stunning, even if they were the polar opposite of the dogs you see in the Sarah Maclahnanesque pet charity commercials on TV.  These dogs are the pampered upper crust of the canine elite and I am pretty sure they know it.  Unlike most dogs that react to people, things, other dogs?  These dogs just kind of chill in an aloof manner above it all and kinda just sit there.  Until it’s  time to run in the show portion that is.  That was pretty cool too.  The owners have to be pretty spry to keep up with the dogs as they run around.

I was really happy with the photos.  The light in the Wildwoods Convention Center was excellent.  I hope I get to do something else there soon.  The entire gallery can be seen below…