Trot down to Seattle's big dog show

Who will be Best of Show at the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show?

Every spectator will have a favorite among the more than 1,300 canines vying for the title at the American Kennel Club (AKC)-sanctioned show this Saturday and Sunday at Seattle's Qwest Field Event Center.

All the popular breeds are represented, along with some exotic ones you're not likely to spot at your local dog park. Besides the conformation judging that chooses Best in Show by evaluating a dog's overall appearance and structure as compared to the official standard of each breed, dogs also compete at agility, traversing a maze of obstacles competing in speed and accuracy; rally, a course of designated stations requiring skills the dog performs with the help of its handler; and obedience trials that judge a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises showing willingness and enjoyment in working with its handler.

If you're considering adding a purebred dog to your family, Meet the Breed seminars, breed booths and AKC breed and rescue groups are on hand to help decide what breed is best for you. Vendors and exhibits offer thousands of dog-related products and services. See a demonstration of pet first-aid skills at 9 a.m. Saturday or 2 p.m. Sunday. If your dog is looking a little untidy compared to the beautiful dogs in the show, learn pet grooming tips from a professional groomer Sunday.

See heroes in action at the Seattle Police Department Canine Unit demonstrations at 12:15 p.m. both days, and herding demonstrations by Ewe-Topia Herd Dog Training School on Saturday. Small terriers and dachshunds dash through a go-to-ground demonstration Sunday morning, following the skills they were traditionally bred for by tracking prey through an underground tunnel.

And for something completely different, dogs show their dance moves and their people-pleasing nature at dog-and-person dance demonstrations both days

The details

Seattle Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Qwest Field Event Center, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; $10/day, $16/two days, adults; $5/day, $8/two days, ages 62 and older and ages 4-14. Only dogs entered in shows and registered service dogs allowed on show grounds. Strollers and other wheeled child carriers not allowed on exhibition floor.

Getting there: From Interstate 5 or I-90, take the Fourth Avenue exit, turn right on Fourth Avenue, turn right on Atlantic Street, then right on First Avenue. Parking available at Qwest Field Garage. Note: The St. Patrick's Day Dash ends near Qwest Field Sunday morning, with street closures and traffic delays. King County Metro Transit information includes bus routes and downtown destinations by bus guide: 206-553-3000 or see http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/.

More information. 206-381-7500 or www.seattlekennelclub.org.