The DKC is one of just six American Kennel Club benched shows in the United States. The overwhelming majority of dog shows are unbenched, at which dogs are judged at an appointed time, then are free to leave the show grounds. At a benched show such as the DKC, dogs stay on the bench with their owners for the entire day when they are not in the ring. This means that the public has a rare opportunity to meet with just about every breed of dog, chat with the owners, and consult with breeders to discover which breed is right for them. Since almost everyone loves to talk about his or her dog, breeders are more than happy to share information with those interested in their particular breed. And almost all of the dogs enjoy the extra attention they receive from the spectators.

At the DKC shows there are also many educational and just plain fun events featuring the dogs themselves, from breed seminars to agility competitions to search and rescue demonstrations. These are events that need a good deal of space, which is why a benched show in an arena such as the Cobo Convention Center is so perfect for these activities. The back-to-back DKC benched shows only happen once a year, so don’t miss them!