No dogs, even ones filled with existential angst, will be turned away in Tryon this weekend.
The national, crème-de-la-canine Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will turn an impressive 140 years old this year. However, the regional “Any and All” Dog Show at the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club isn’t any young pup, either: it’s in its 83rd incarnation, and we’re pushing it over Westminster as a superior dog event because: 1) It happens outdoors in perfect October instead of indoors in freezing February; 2) Arguably no one loves their dogs more than Western North Carolinians; and 3) As the name suggests, the show is open to all breeds and conglomerations of breeds — i.e., no one’s fur baby is going to be barred from the proceedings for having too-short legs or a garrulous nature.
Ten classes for both children and adult dog owners include Best Trick, Best Costume, Most Interesting Tail, Dog That Most Looks Like Its Owner, Dog Who Would Rather Be Home, Biggest/Smallest Dog (over 1 year old), Best Senior Dog (over 10 years old), Best Adopted Dog, Ugliest Dog, and Best in Show.
In a town known for four-legged-animal events of a different kind, this is a break from all the equestrian happenings and a deservedly much-loved event.
October 9. Registration starts at 1:30pm. Proceeds benefit the Foothills Humane Society and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 program. Call 828-863-0480, visit tryonridingandhuntclub.org for more information.
