Houston World Series of Dog Shows
Established in 1978
Voted Show of the Year in 2014 and 2019
Purina® Pro Plan®, Dog News, Dogs in Review
The Houston World Series of Dog Shows takes place in Houston, Texas at the state-of-the-art NRG Center. It is a cluster show, meaning several separate shows held over consecutive days.
Beginning Wednesday, visitors can enjoy watching the more than 30 independent breed specialty competitions, as well as the Houston Area Hound and Houston All-Terrier shows.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday offer all-breed shows, each culminating with a “Best in Show” winner, chosen from finalists among the seven variety groups with more than 150 different breeds represented. Interspersed amongst the all-breed shows, various area clubs will be holding breed specialty competitions.
As a dog show cluster, our mission is to enhance the public’s knowledge about purebred dogs. We are proud to offer the popular Meet the Breeds event where the public can get hands-on experience with more than 110 breeds and discuss their care, needs, traits, and temperaments, as well as their advantages and disadvantages with breed experts.
Throughout the five-day event, the Series offers many attractions, including an extensive shopping venue, numerous seminars, entertainment exhibitions and obedience/companion events.
Be sure to check the Events Schedule located on our Attendees Page for a complete listing of times and events.
The HWSDS shows, held annually, typically take place the third week in July.
The series’ main sponsor is Purina® Dog Food, makers of Purina Pro-Plan® dog food. The superintendent is Jack Onofrio Dog Shows, LLC.
About the Shows
Our Story
Over Four Decades of Dog Shows
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Formed in the late 1970s in response to the gas shortage, the Houston World Series of Dog Shows was started as the Astro World Series of Dog Shows. Prior to it's creation, the original cluster partners held individual shows at separate locations. By combining into the cluster, exhibitors were able to attend multiple shows for the first time...a much welcomed turn of events. The establishment of the cluster inspired other kennel clubs to follow suit. As the host club, the Houston Kennel Club pioneered this successful "Cluster of Dog Shows" concept in 1978.
Now in it's 44th year, the Houston World Series has grown into a five-day show, attracting more than 40,000 spectators and participants and 14,000 entries. Over the years the Houston Kennel Club has innovated the addition of various performance events as well as public attractions to include the first "Meet the Breeds" event and the introduction of a student art show, highlighting "The Dog, Man's Best Friend".
The Houston World Series is long recognized as the first All-Breed show to hold agility trials on site, along with it's other fan-favorite entertainment events. Throughout the years, the Series has been filmed by Animal Planet, ESPN, and AKC.tv.
Currently, the Series kicks off it's annual event with Wednesday’s specialty breed shows, held by Houston Combined Specialty Association, Houston All-Terrier Club, Houston Area Hound Association and Bluebonnet Boxer Club, Inc. The all-breed shows are held by the Houston Kennel Club on Thursday and Friday and the Beaumont Kennel Club on Saturday and Sunday.
