Dog Show

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The Vermont Scenic Circuit Dog Shows will be back again in Tunbridge, Vermont July 9-12, 2026.

Presented jointly by Woodstock Dog Club and Green Mountain Dog Club, the shows attract 1000 dogs each day, presented by local dog fanciers as well as owners and professional handlers from all over the US and Canada. Come see many of the top dogs in the country!  (Exhibitors, please note the superintendent this year will be Rau Dog Shows.) There will be four all-breed dog shows, obedience trials, and rally trials. Group judging, where the best of breed winners compete against similar breeds in each of seven recognized groups, begins around 3 p.m. The first place winner each group compete for the Best in Show prize at the end of day. A second set of groups  are judged each day featuring only dogs handled by amateur owners as part of the National Owner Handler Series (NOHS). In addition, there will be special competitions: Friday there will be Puppy Groups and Best Puppy in Show; on Saturday a Best Veteran will be selected.  Prizes donated by West Lebanon Feed & Supply.

Sunday at noon features a Pee Wee Competition where children under the age of eight show their dogs, with a parent or watchful adult in the ring to help. Junior Showmanship, for handlers nine to 18 yrs old, will be held each day. It is amazing to watch these accomplished young handlers — the future of the sport. This year, the clubs will be hosting a health clinic to screen potential breeding stock, with a veterinary ophthalmologist doing eye exams, a cardiologist testing hearts, and a canine audiologist testing hearing.  Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted if time permits. There will be an ice cream social during Group time Thursday and Friday! Saturday night there will be the always popular BBQ with live music. Tickets for the BBQ and live music are available online and at the Club Tent. Any day you plan to attend, there will be plenty to see and parking is free for spectators!  Learn about the sport of dog showing, obedience, and rally trials. Meet breeders and exhibitors.  Vendors will be on hand with dog and human-related items, along with food vendors, and of course the famous Maple Creemees! Come see your favorite breeds, and meet new breeds! (But please, leave your own dog at home unless entered.  It’s against AKC rules to have unentered dogs on the show grounds — and it will be hot.)

Dog shows are an important element in preserving and promoting purebred dogs. Judges evaluate breeding stock based on a written description for each breed called the “standard”. While some parts of each standard describe the unique look of the breed, other sections describe aspects of structure and personality necessary to preserve the unique original function of the breed. Breeders are responsible for maintaining the integrity of their breeds so the dogs we love will be around for lifetimes to come. They also health test the parents and have decades of research projects to ensure you are getting a healthy, well-bred dog. Responsible breeders do not fill shelters… quite the opposite. They work tirelessly to keep their breeds out of the shelters and rescues, starting with taking lifetime responsibility for the pups they create.

The Woodstock Dog Club and Green Mountain Dog Club are members of the American Kennel Club. The clubs hold monthly meetings with speakers and presentations on canine health, training, research, and many other topics of interest.