Celebrating its 37th year, the annual Bonanza Kennel Club AKC All-Breed Dog Shows Obedience and Rally Trials is underway at Fuji Park in Carson City this weekend, bringing nearly 600 dogs and their owners who are competing in different classes and abilities including Best of Show.
The annual Bonanza Kennel Club show is considered among many to be a favorite in the western dog show circuit because of its intimate size and location, surrounded by dozens of shady trees. The green lawn makes Fuji Park an ideal spot to have several outdoor corrals, where dogs and their owners can show off their stuff among the hundreds of spectators coming to watch the free event.
Jim and Margie Sullivan of Fresno, Calif. have been participating in dog shows for 53 years throughout the country and world. They’ve attended every Carson City show since it began. For this weekend’s show they brought their miniature poodles, all having won competitions in the past. They are hoping Gigi, their French poodle, will be this year’s champion.
The couple say they enjoy coming to Carson City every year because of the venue and location.
“The atmosphere is nice. The people who put on the shows are always really nice and we get to see other dogs outside of California showings. We also like to go around town when we are through with the showings,” he said.
Many of the exhibitors who come to the Carson City show return because they love Fuji Park, said Candy Roper, President of Bonanza Kennel Club and Show Chair.
“Every year we have (dog owners) and judges walk out of the Exhibit Hall and say ‘this is such a perfect venue,'” said Roper, adding that nearly 600 dogs are competing at the 2025 event. For this weekend’s show, people attending have come from across the United States, Canada and one exhibitor having come in from Japan.
“Dog shows like Carson City’s are for exhibitors to get a judge’s opinion of their breeding stock of what (they) are producing. And then there’s all the performance sports: Agility, rally, obedience and fetch. Those all happen here. And so it’s not just about the beauty part of the show but it is also the performance part of the dog,” Roper said.
Added to the mix this year, the show features a beginner puppy event and scent work to encourage more participants.
“We are trying to find new ways for more people to enter and come to Carson City. It is really beneficial to the community,” she said.
Carson City sees economic benefits from participants
AKC recently put out some new numbers that show that the average dog show exhibitor spends $900 in the community for the weekend they are here, said Roper.
“So when you look at 600 dogs, you are looking at around 1,200 people. It brings a lot of people into the community. They stay at the hotels, they go to the casinos, they go out to restaurants,” she said. “They do many things besides just sitting out here to show their dogs. A lot of people say they come here because of the destination. And we always — well, almost always — have good weather.”
Saturday’s event brought sunny skies and warm fall temperatures.
For those new to the show as participants, Roper notes the all-breed shows recognized by AKC are eligible for the confirmation part. For the performance part, mixed breeds are also eligible.
“So you don’t have to have a purebred dog to participate in obedience or rally or any of the other events going on,” she said. “That gets your average pet owner to the show so they can come out and have fun with their dog in the obedience trial and be able to earn titles.”
The show began Friday with seven specialty shows, a fetch competition and a scent work trial. Saturday’s events featured the National Owner Handled Series, a 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy competition, Pee Wee competition and an Agility Course Test (ACT) I & II Jumpers.
John Bredderman of Fernley returned to the Carson City show for the second time, bringing his American Staffordshire Terrier. He said he appreciates the level of competition and the people he’s met.
“It’s a smaller show so it’s a lot more intimate. And it’s a family event. People bring their kids and what not. Also the camaraderie. It’s a small circle of people that you start seeing over again, creating friendships,” he said.
Sunday’s events begin at 8 a.m. and will include Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing along with Trick Dog testing.
Everyone is invited to come and watch but should leave their pets at home as there are already 600 dogs in the mix at the park.
Go here for more information about the show.
