Deep in the National Western Stock Show complex, breeders prepared their animals for a star-studded competition on Saturday. Only this time, they weren’t the cattle, horses and other livestock that usually trot through the halls — they were dogs of all breeds and sizes.

The Denver Dog Show, held by the Colorado Kennel Club, celebrated its 123rd annual event through Sunday, bringing together canine friends for competitions like obedience, dock diving and agility training. 

“This is the longest tenured sporting event in Colorado, period,” Steve Cowell, Colorado Kennel Club media representative, said.

And while it may not bring in the extreme level of coverage and tourists that professional sporting events may, it does make an impact. 

Hundreds of people, both breeders and spectators, lined the National Western Stock Show Complex’s Hall of Education, hoping to get a glimpse (or give a belly rub). Over 4,500 dogs were in attendance, representing the 200 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

A 2022 AKC survey found that exhibitors at dog shows in Colorado spend an average of $896 per show weekend, adding up to over $2.5 million injected into the local economy — $25M to Denver in the last 10 years. 

The Denver show kicks off the AKC dog show season, with points being accumulated at every major event, adding up to possible qualifications for the national championship in Orlando in December. 

Sitting as the opening to the season makes the Denver show special, according to Cowell, along with the longstanding tenure and amount of dogs at the show every year.

For Colton Johnson, an Old English Sheepdog breeder from Colorado Springs, coming to the Denver show every year is a no-brainer.

“I’ve been coming to this dog show at this venue my entire life,” he said. “You don’t win a lot of money doing this. It’s mainly just the glamor of this is my dog and this is what they’re able to do.”

Johnson added that on top of the glory and pride of winning, the competition helps bring awareness to his favorite breed of dog.

“I love that breed and I want to see that breed get better. I want to see that breed get taken care of, not end up in rescues or humane societies. I want to see them taken care of, regardless of who the owner is. Anything we can give back is a good thing.”

Cowell doubled down on the point of the audience learning about certain breeds and how to take care of them at events like this.

“You can get a tremendous amount of education, even if you’re just thinking about getting a dog,” he said as a dog splashed into the diving pool behind him, sending drops of water over the crowd. “You can find out what dog breed is best for you. What fits your lifestyle. What fits you as a person, and so forth.”

Cowell, a volunteer for the Colorado Kennel Club, said the Denver Dog Show changed his life 12 years ago. He knew he wanted a dog and came to the show to see breeds. He fell head-over-paws for a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. He learned from the breeder and eventually decided that was the dog for him.

Over a decade later, Cowell, a former pilot who had never even been to a dog show, has the eighth-ranked Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in lifetime grand champion points.

“He and I are absolutely bonded,” Cowell said. “We’ve visited 18 states. I’ve met some unbelievably terrific people. It’s been an incredibly positive experience.”

And over the weekend, people were able to potentially meet that forever breed for their dog-owning future at the show. For breeders, they were able to garner some points for them and their canine buddies. 

Nancy Praiswater of Monument has been breeding English Cocker Spaniels for 50 years. She got into the industry after showing horses as kids. 

Regarding the difference between showing dogs and showing horses — the activity the National Western Stock Show Complex is known for — Praiswater jokes, “it’s cheaper.”

“It’s just fun. We just love the dogs,” she concluded.