The Houston World Series of Dog Shows takes place in Houston’s state-of-the-art NRG Center. It is a cluster show, meaning it is actually several separate shows, held over consecutive days. Beginning Wednesday, visitors can catch the more than 30 independent breed specialty competitions, as well as the Houston Hound, Working Dog and All-Terrier shows — don’t miss the chance to chat with owners/handlers as they prepare their show dogs in the Crating and Grooming area. Thursday offers an all-specialty group of shows with only Conformation (Breed Judging) competitions that end with a “Best in Show” award. Friday, Saturday and Sunday each culminate with a “Best of Show” winner, chosen from finalists among the seven variety groups with more than 150 different breeds represented. The four “Best in Show” winners may or may not be the same dog.
Our mission is to enhance the public’s knowledge about purebred dogs. We offer the popular Meet the Breeds event where the public can get hands-on experience with more than 110 breeds and discuss their advantages and disadvantages with breed experts. Check Schedule of Events for a complete listing of times and events.
This year’s show takes place July 15-19, 2020.
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*One winner will be selected daily from now until July 16, 2019.
Things To Do
Besides Breed Judging on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we offer many exciting performance events including Agility, Obedience and Flyball as well as the McScotty Market (Vendor Booths) and displays from hundreds of companies and artisans offering pet food and accessories. Additionally, Canine Frisbee(SM), Canine Musical Freestyle and the Dr. Mari Jon Filla Student Art Exhibit are popular attractions. Many breed specific rescue groups and service organizations present information about their services, responsible dog ownership and proper pet care and nutrition in general.
Events at the Shows
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Conformation/Breed Judging
Conformation is one of the most popular American Kennel Club (AKC) events, and it’s more than just a beauty pageant for dogs. While the dogs have to be groomed impeccably, the competition lies in how well each individual dog conforms, or matches up to, the breed standard as established by the AKC. The event is open to all breeds recognized by the AKC, and can range from specialty shows focused on a particular breed or class of dog, or a more general show where dogs of any recognized breed can enter.
Why is conformation important? Because the closer a dog’s appearance to the breed standard, the more likely that dog is to produce puppies that also meet the standard and have other desirable genetic traits. It’s also the reason mixed breeds, and spayed or neutered purebreds are ineligible to compete in this event.
Download Breed Judging List PDF
Meet the Breeds Seminars
Click here to view Meet the Breeds schedule PDF.
Looking to get a new pooch for yourself or your family? Meet the Breeds is a valuable resource to a potential pet owner who is searching for the right kind of dog for his particular lifestyle. Experts present scores of breeds from the common to the exotic. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of owning certain breeds before selecting a dog for your family.
Approximately 100 breeds will be scheduled to appear at various times during Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The schedule will be posted here beginning Monday, July 15, 2019. Please check the schedule daily as the day/time for appearance of some breeds may change during the week.
Further information may be obtained from the Chair, Mary Crawford, jmbritts@gmail.com.
Flyball
Flyball is one of the most exciting events at the Shows. It’s a competitive canine relay race in which two teams, comprised of four dogs (and two substitutes), compete side by side against one another over a 51-foot-long course. As soon as the signal goes off, each dog dashes over a line of low hurdles to reach a box. Once there, they use their paws to push a spring-loaded pad and release a tennis ball into the air that they catch and bring back to their handlers. Once back to the starting line, the next dog takes his turn. Once each dog has completed its run, the team with the fastest time wins.
Canine Musical Freestyle
Canine Musical Freestyle is a choreographed musical program performed by both dogs and their handlers. The object of musical freestyle is to display the dog and handler in a creative, innovative and original dance, using music and intricate movements to showcase teamwork, artistry, costuming, athleticism and style in interpreting the theme of the music. Canine freestyle is a showcase that truly demonstrates the joys and fun of bonding with your pet.
Barn Hunt/Find the Rat
Barn Hunt is a popular, independent sport that is quickly growing across the country. These trials are meant to test the proper working drives of dog breeds whose traditional roles were to rid homes of damaging vermin. Dogs win points for the number of rats they scent in the course and for overcoming obstacles such as tunnels and climbs.
“Find the Rat” is a brand new event at the Houston Dog Shows this year. In “Find the Rat,” the course will be a modified Barn Hunt Instinct Course, with 3 tubes: one with a rat, one empty and one with litter. The dog will have 1 minute to indicate which tube has the rat. If they complete the task, the dog will receive a ribbon stating “We Found The Rat”. Dogs participating in “Find the Rat” don’t need an official BHA registration number.
The BHA is devoted to creating a fun and safe sport for dogs and also holds rat care at the highest level of consideration.
Regular Barn Hunt trials will take place Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21. For fee information and to register for regular Barn Hunt trials, please click here. Registration for regular Barn Hunt trials will not be available at the event. “Find the Rat” trials will take place Friday, July 19, at the Barn Hunt ring in Hall A from 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, July 20, from 3 to 6 p.m. There is a $10 fee per run. Registration for “Find the Rat” is available at the dog shows.
Creative/Breed Grooming
Breed grooming focuses on making sure a dog is flawlessly groomed to highlight its conformance to breed standards published by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Creative grooming is a very different competition from breed standard grooming, and it’s more than adding a cute bow or bandana to complement your dog’s appearance. Many creative groomers create works of art out of their dogs using stencils, chalk, temporary and animal-friendly dyes, and creative haircuts to showcase eras or tell a story. Dog groomers who are interested in competing can register by visiting the Groom Texas website.
Download Reserved Grooming Map and List PDF
AKC’s My Dog Can Do That!
AKC’s My Dog Can Do That! is a lively event intended to give new dog owners a taste of dog training and companion dog sports. Owners can bring their dog and try out an Agility or Rally course with assistance from a professional trainer.
At the Houston World Series of Dog Shows, this is an event where you can bring your own dog from home to participate. Entry is free with purchase of a Show ticket.
Dr. Mari Jon Filla Student Art Exhibit
Kids in grades K through 12 express in art their unconditional love for the family pet in this always surprising competition, the Dr. Mari Jon Filla Student Art Exhibit, among Houston area schools. They begin their projects each spring, each creating their personal point of view on “Man’s Best Friend.” The artwork is made up of drawings, paintings and mixed media works, depending on the artist’s preference and style. After submitting their projects, each grade has its winners selected and the art is shown at the Shows for visitors and exhibitors to admire.
To view art submissions from this year’s winners, please visit the Dr. Mari Jon Filla Student Art Exhibit website.
Click here to download 2019 Award Winners PDF.
To get more information about next year’s art competition, please visit our Contact page.
*Pictured above is this year’s Art Show shirt using the artwork of the Commemorative Art Award winner
Canine Frisbee™ Exhibition
Dogs and their handlers do choreographed musical performances with the dog doing acrobatic leaps, rolls and jumps to catch a Frisbee™ disc. Don’t miss this chance to see what dogs of all different breeds can do as they work for applause, cheers and of course, treats.
Weight Pull
Weight Pull is a sport where dogs can test their strength, endurance and stamina. These dogs are fit into special harnesses that helps them pull a cart loaded with, on occasion, 80 times their own weight! Dogs will then have 60 seconds to pull the cart 16 feet to the finish line. The winner pulls the heaviest cart in its weight category at the fastest speed.
Malamute-only trials will take place Friday, July 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday trials, held July 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., are open to any dog that can fit into the official harness. To enter your dog in the Saturday and Sunday open trials, you must register before 10:30 a.m. on the day of the competition. There is a pre-entry fee of $15 per dog if registration is mailed and received before July 19. Click here to view registration form. Registration at the Dog Shows will be $20 per dog. Click here to view qualifying requirements.
C.A.P Designer Doghouse Competition & Silent Auction
Citizen’s for Animal Protection’s (CAP) “Best Little Doghouse in Texas” competition enters its 15th year in 2019. Located Hall B’s Designer Dog Houses ring, dog show attendees can see some of the most lux dog houses available, designed by Houstonians, to be auctioned off for charity. Auction proceeds benefit Houston’s CAP.
Houston's Rescues Have Talent Show
Houston’s Rescues Have Talent show is a new competition this year devoted entirely to rescues. In this exciting new event, rescue-dog owners can register* and show off their pets in five categories – Best Butt Wiggler, Best Dog & Owner Look-Alikes, Best Trick Performance, Best Vocalist and Cutest in a Costume.
There will be four judges – three representing the rescue and shelter groups and one club member. These judges will select a winner in each category that will qualify to compete in “Best in Rescue” competition. Cash and McScotty Market merchandise will be awarded as prizes.
The talent show will take place Saturday, July 20, from 12 to 2 p.m. in Hall B’s Rescue Ring, followed by the “Best in Rescue” competition from 2 to 3 p.m. in Hall B’s Performance Ring.
Show History
Formerly known as the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows, the Houston World Series of Dog Shows is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and supervised by Onofrio Dog Shows. During five days, the shows attract more than 40,000 spectators and participants and 14,000 entries. Wednesday’s specialty breed show is sponsored by Bluebonnet Boxer Club Inc., Houston All-Terrier Club, Houston Area Hound Association, Houston Combined Specialty Association and Houston Working Dog Club. The Houston Kennel Club sponsors Thursday and Friday shows, Beaumont Kennel Club sponsors Saturday and Galveston County Kennel Club sponsors Sunday. The series’ main sponsor is Purina® Dog Food, makers of Purina Pro-Plan® dog food.
