ONE of country’s top dog shows welcomed canines large and small today (Friday, September 12).

Dog-owners from across the UK travelled to Ripon Racecourse for the Darlington Dog Show.

The historic show can trace its roots back to the year Abraham Lincoln was selected as a United States presidential candidate and now attracts thousands of competitors from all over the UK.

It moved from its traditional site in South Park, Darlington to North Yorkshire over a decade ago, but retained the town’s name to signal its heritage.

The three day festival finishes on Sunday (September 14) and features more than 2,000 classes and more than 7,000 entries.

Vice chairman Terry Pearson, from Weardale, County Durham, said the show was still proving a draw for dog-owners across the country, despite the fact that the number of people entering shows was on the decline as less people were able to meet the cost of keeping dogs.

“We have just over 7,000 entries this year," he said.

“Throughout the country championship shows are down because there’s a downturn trend as more people can’t afford it.

“We’re approximately 20 down on last year, which under the current economic climate is great because people are counting their pennies.

“It’s up there with the best in the country. The exhibitors say it is a very warm, friendly show. If that’s what it is then we’re doing a good job as far as I’m concerned."

One of those was Judith Raper and her husband Michael, who were showing their standard poodle, Tilly. The family run a dog grooming parlour, Alermann Grooming Salons near Leeming Bar.

She said: “The dogs love it, especially poodles, they love being the centre of attention.”

Another exhibitor, Jennifer Taylor, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, were exhibiting their Ibizan hounds at the show.

“It’s a lovely show. It’s friendly and it’s well set out so there’s plenty of room.”

Classes for hounds, terriers, utility breeds such as Dalmatians and French bulldogs and eurasiers – a relatively new breed to the UK – took place today. Tomorrow classes for pastoral and working dogs such as New Foundlands, German Shepherds and border collies will be held.

On Sunday, classes for vizslas and weimaraner such as golden retrievers will be held. Overall champions from the event will also be judged.

Another exhibitor, Jennifer Taylor, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, were exhibiting their Ibizan hounds at the show.

“It’s a lovely show. It’s friendly and it’s well set out so there’s plenty of room.”