Excitement was in the air on Saturday morning as exhibitors, animals and judges alike descended on the Central Iowa Fairgrounds in Marshalltown for the annual Heart of Iowa Kennel Club (HOIKC) All-Breed and Obedience Dog Show, a two-day event.

The dogs themselves and the people showing them ran the spectrum in terms of age and experience, with some hailing from relatively nearby and others traveling across the country to attend. Shelley Barron, the show chairman for HOIKC, estimated that there were about 400 dogs registered. A show superintendent for the American Kennel Club all the way from Oklahoma City was also on hand throughout the day.

“We usually get about 15 states, so that’s pretty good. We’ve even had dogs from out of the country too,” Barron said. “It’s mostly planning, but it’s fun.”

Matt Nemmers of Ankeny with his Miniature American Shepherd named Oscar.

With one barn set up for grooming and two more for shows, there was something to see wherever one wandered on Saturday or Sunday. Barron noted the teamwork that goes into showing them, as kids and even grandkids often get involved to carry on the tradition.

It’s also an opportunity to promote HOIKC and, hopefully, grow its membership in the long term, Barron said. They try to host programs whenever they meet and participate in events like parades, but, as Barron noted, the membership is getting older, and she feels it’s time for some younger blood.

Pete Wilcox of Webster City was dressed to the nines on Saturday to show Sakari, his Samoyed. He’s only been showing for about three years but said he’s been in “the dog world” much longer than that. He did his first few shows before the pandemic hit but has been excited to get back out on the road with the easing of COVID-related restrictions.

When asked why he loves showing dogs, Wilcox gave a twofold answer.

“I think (it’s) just the teamwork of everybody working together. Also, just the fact of working with your dog. It shows you have a passion for your dog,” he said. “Getting titles on it isn’t just about going out and working hard. It’s about building that bond between you and the dog and getting that dog to go to another level as well.”

Right now, Wilcox is doing his best to simply enjoy the ride, but of course, as a competitor, he holds dreams of someday winning at Nationals.

“Whether I’ll ever get to that point, I don’t know,” he said.

Karen Hobbs of Cedar Rapids, bottom right, with her Yorkshire Terrier named Margarita.

Bob Vandiver, who hails from South Carolina, served as a judge on Saturday and has been involved in dog shows for over a half a century after buying his first Doberman — 10 subsequent generations of its spawn won awards afterward. He explained that there is a uniform standard for the “ideal” dog of each breed, and judges look for the ones at each show that most closely resemble it.

Vandiver judges about 50 shows a year across the country, and he said some of the other judges on hand do even more. Most of them don’t consider it a job, but getting some money to cover their travel expenses definitely helps.

Even after decades of judging and seeing thousands of different dogs, Vandiver has a simple explanation for what keeps him coming back.

“It’s finding that great next dog,” he said. “You go in the ring and you find some average dogs, some that are not very good at all, and then one walks up and it’s just beautiful. This dog is gonna go places. Sometimes you discover one, and they go places. And it’s just so rewarding.”

——

Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.