OLDS — Calgary Kennel and Obedience Club president Della Kyncl says turnout to club's May all-breed dog show gives her hope for the future.
A total of 2,222 dogs were entered the show, held May 6-9 at the Megadome at the Olds Regional Exhibition grounds.
During an interview, Kyncl said she had hoped the show would draw at least 450 “and we surpassed that by a hundred dogs a day.”
She notes the figure is not far off the 2,400 dogs entered in a show in Red Deer.
Kyncl says the show’s success helps wipe out bitter memories from last year when a dog show organized for early May was cancelled “at the very last second” due to COVID restrictions.
“But COVID touches all of our lives, right? Everything in our lives,” she said.
Last year’s show would have been the club’s first one in its new home base at Olds Regional Exhibition.
“We love this place. The ag society, the folks there are great. They help us out in anything and everything we want,” Kyncl said.
For years, the Calgary Kennel and Obedience Club was headquartered in Okotoks. However, Kyncl said they could no longer afford the rent.
“We were at the fieldhouse, which was a lovely facility and perfect for the dogs, but just way too costly,” she said.
Kyncl said they’re happy in Olds and the town is a good central location for the club.
“I think that might be why some of why our numbers are up a little bit,” she said.
