Hundreds of people were expected to visit Grayslake over the five days of the Cool Cluster Dog Shows, which began on Wednesday in the Expo Hall of the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center.
Approximately 5,000 dogs were entered with Saturday typically the most well-attended day, according to Ken Murray, president of the Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club of Grayslake and also show chairman.
Cool Cluster 2025 is being presented by the Kenosha Kennel Club, Park Shore Kennel Club and Chain O’ Lakes Kennel Club.
The Chain O’Lakes Kennel Club has operated in Lake County for more than 50 years and is “one of the oldest kennel clubs in the country,“ said Murray, who owns and operates Dominoe Pet Resort of Island Lake with his wife Virginia.
The Cool Cluster Dog Shows event draws show dogs from beyond Lake County.
“What I consider a successful dog show is when all the top winning dogs from around the country show up, and that’s what we got here,” Murray said. “Some of the biggest winning dogs in the country are here, so that’s good.”
Cool Cluster “brings in thousands of dollars for hotels and restaurants in the area,” he said. Dog shows can also be useful for potential pet owners.
“If you’re looking to buy a dog for a pet, the best thing is come to a dog show and see the different breeds and why they were bred,” Murray said. “Each breed has a purpose, rather than people falling into the (golden) doodle trap where you’re just buying a mixed-breed dog for thousands of dollars.
“People get suckered into stuff they have on the internet,” he said. “With mixed breeds, anytime you take two purebred dogs and breed them with different breeds, you’ve got a mutt.”
Handler Celso Schneider of Crystal Lake received a best of breed award for showing Chiara, 3, a female English cocker spaniel from Verona, Wisconsin.
“Very happy, all the work pays off,” Schneider said, shortly after being handed the purple-and-yellow ribbon after judging.
Tony, 3, a male chow chow breed, was shown by owner and handler Tim Malueg of Oostburg, Wisconsin. The pair left the exhibition ring with ribbons for best of breed and best owner/handler.
“It’s a world of fun, and education, and longtime friendships,” Malueg said. “I just love it.”
Barbara Olsen of Park Ridge, president of the Park Shore Kennel Club, said dogs “make your life.”
Grooming and combing champion Foxie, a Biewer terrier breed, was Daryl Martin of Highland Park, a second-generation dog handler.
“It’s my business, but also my passion,” Martin said. “They keep you young.”
