SALEM, Va.—
Hundreds of determined dog owners showed off their prized pooches in Salem this weekend.Sunday was the fifth and final day of the American Kennel Club's Mountain Valley Cluster Dog show. It takes place at the Salem Civic Center each year. This summer, organizers say 1100 dogs competed, hoping to take home the Best in Show prize.
"We have people all over the United States that come for this show," said Michael Harman, this year's parking chairman. "Last weekend, there was a show in Greenville, North Carolina, so they came up here from that. And there will be another show next week that everyone will go to."
There were more than 160 different dog breeds represented at this year's show. The dog owners work hard to get their pups points toward the big title. "They spend a considerable amount of time grooming their dogs," Harman said. "They're going into the event to try to get championship points, and it takes 15 championship points to be a champion. Each day there's a different judge."
This show was organized by the Roanoke, James River and New River Kennel Clubs.
