Top dogs shine during Oklahoma City show

The Cox Convention Center went to the dogs over the weekend as more than 8,500 entries from 160 breeds descended on Oklahoma City for the annual OKC Summer Classic Dog Shows.

Hundreds of awards for breeds and groups were awarded since the event began Thursday, with a new Best in Show being awarded every day of the competition.

Trainers from across the country came to the show, which was organized by the Oklahoma City Kennel Club and the Mid-Del Tinker Kennel Club.

"This is the largest gathering of Manchesters (terriers) there has been in this country. We come from all over,” said Amarillo resident Geraldine Shastid, who organized an event for the breed that ran in conjunction with the dog show. "Oklahoma City puts on a wonderful event. It’s a wonderful city to come and visit.”

The event drew some of the top dogs from their breeds in the country and breeders who have been participating in the event for years.

"I love this show. I come here every year, even when it was at the fairgrounds I came every year,” said Lisa Phillips, whose Heart of Gold Power Play is one of the top-rated Cardigan Welsh Corgis in the country. "He’s done real well at this show.”

With about 2,000 dogs showing each day, spectators had plenty to see.

"It’s been nice to see the breeds we’ve never seen before, we don’t even know what they are,” said Oklahoma City resident LaNeale Robertson.

"We’ve always just driven by and seen the signs and stuff and now that we have a young child that loves dogs we thought it’d be a great day activity,”