
A focused Spaniel watches their owner during competition. The first selection will come from Best in Breed and Group. Photo by Casey Richardson
The Alberta Kennel Club Winter Classic event has been occurring since its inception in 1904.

Ocean, Robinson's seven-month-old golden retriever, won Best in Puppy during competition and moved on to Best in Group on Jan. 25 to 27. Photo by Casey Richardson
“A lot of people have a misunderstanding about purebreds because they believe that they are riddled with health defects,” she says.
“In reality, the breeders [of purebreds] have spent a lot of time, effort, money and health testing to make sure that they are rid of health problems.”

Robinson’s seven-month-old golden retriever, Ocean, watched her attentively; dogs that compete in shows are encouraged to beg. That quality helps enhance their look during competition. Photo by Casey Richardson
Dog owner and competitor, Tracy Robinson, is a seasoned veteran of dog competition shows. Robinson has been an avid fan and trainer of the spectacle for almost 30 years. She competes in a dozen dog shows annually.
One thing Robinson still finds most challenging at any dog show is seeing her dogs or puppies succeed.

Tracy Robinson is an avid competitor in dog show competitions. She focuses on raising Shelties, while her family raises golden retrievers. Photo by Casey Richardson
Robinson points out a common misconception about dog shows is that dog owners force their dogs to compete.
“Our dogs love doing this. I have a 10-year-old dog at home who almost lost her mind because she didn’t get loaded into the van. She wanted to come so badly,” she explains.

Overall, Robinson wants her five Shetland sheepdog puppies to have a great experience during competition. She says one of her puppies finished the championship competition in record time.
At the end of the three-day winter classic, one dog went on to win Best in Show.