Dog Iron Classic Dog Show

Mark your calendars for the annual Dog Iron Classic All Breed Dog Show March 31 and April 1.

Attention all canine lovers: it’s that time of year again—time to mark your calendars for the annual Dog Iron Classic All Breed Dog Show sponsored by the Claremore Kennel Club. This year’s show will be held Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1 at the Claremore Expo Center.

The club promises a fun-filled weekend for the whole family. “We’ve been averaging 1200 entries, representing over 100 breeds of dogs,” says Marilyn Garner of the Claremore Kennel Club. “And we always have great attendance.” She adds that there are usually about 25 vendors with all types of items for dogs and dog lovers, and the Claremore Expo opens its concession stands for the event. The show is free to the public of all ages, but the organizers ask that parents with small children don’t bring strollers as they sometimes agitate the dogs.

The Dog Iron Classic All Breed Dog Show takes its name from Will Rogers’ birthplace (otherwise known as The Dog Iron Ranch), and in keeping with the theme, Sunday’s prizes are focused upon Oklahoma historical themes. “We always get something to give away from the gift shop at the Will Rogers Museum in Claremore,” Marilyn says. “This year we are giving away a centennial throw we purchased there for Best in Show.”

During the event, the Claremore Kennel Club will host the OFA Cardiac Clinic with Dr. Allen Hahn, Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The clinic will run Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and is open to all AKC Registered dogs for a fee of $40.  “Even if dog is not in the show, you can bring it to the clinic on a lead,” Marilyn says. “However it won’t be able to stay for the show.” The same applies for the Eye Clinic with Dr. A.J. Quinn DVM, which will be held on Saturday, March 31 starting at 8:30 a.m. for $20 per dog.

If you love auctions, you will want to be sure and participate in the silent auction that will begin the morning of March 31 and will end after Best in Show on Saturday. “In the past, we’ve had a lot of dog related items: pillows, books, pictures—anything and everything,” Marilyn says. “Donations for the auction come from local businesses and club members.”

Marilyn hopes the show will help raise awareness of the existence of the Claremore Kennel Club and the opportunities membership offers. Marilyn herself started raising show dogs in 1998 and joined the Claremore Kennel Club five years ago, a step she has never regretted taking. “I was very shy when I first joined, but I still wanted to show dogs,” she recalls. “The laid back and fun atmosphere of the Claremore Kennel Club gave me the confidence to show dogs in front of people.”

Marilyn also adds that the Claremore Kennel Club offers opportunities for children and young adults to learn about showing dogs. They have classes for children ages 6 to 18. To illustrate the success of the program, Marilyn points to member Jacci Hubbard, who has won multiple awards as a junior dog handler, as well as top awards as an Elk Hound Handler in the adult category before she turned 18. “We’re really proud of Jacci’s accomplishments,” says Marilyn. “And we would love for all children who are interested in handling to come to the classes.”    

There is still time to register your dog for The Dog Iron Classic All Breed Dog Show, as registration doesn’t close until March 21 at noon. Owners can show their own dogs or can have their animals shown by a professional handler. For those whose dogs are still a little young to compete in the main show, Claremore Kennel Club will also host a sanctioned B match March 31 at 6 p.m. “This offers a great chance for young dogs to get used to shows,” Marilyn explains. “It’s also fun and informative for people who think they might like to show their dogs in the future. It gives them a chance to see what it is all about.”

The Claremore Kennel Club of Oklahoma was founded in 1983 and it held its first licensed AKC Dog Show in 1997. For more information on the event or about the Claremore Kennel Club, contact Marilyn Garner at 918-272-5099.

For more inform­­ation, contact

The Claremore Kennel Club of Oklahoma

(918) 272-5099