The dog days of spring
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press A two-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog named Fling competes in the ring with other females of the same breed Monday during the Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers Dog Show at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.</p>
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Shannalee Michalsky, of Idaho Falls, carries a kennel as Solo, her four-year-old Sheltie, jumps alongside. Michalsky was also carrying dog food in a yellow folder which prompted the jumping.</p>
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Sharon McBurney, of Spokane, grooms her Rough Collie named Bri while preparing for a showing.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - That's 4,800 paws at Kootenai County's third biggest event.
The Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers' 17th annual dog show kicked off Monday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
The 3,000 people and 1,200 dogs who take part in each of the two days makes the show the third biggest event in Kootenai County.
"It's like a big, extended family," said Darlene Rautio, show chairman, on the draw of the event that's estimated to have a $350,000 economic impact on the region. "Everyone's having a great time."
The show runs through today, with dogs being judged on moves and obedience for a variety of categories. Results will be available at the end of the week at www.cdadogfanciers.org.
The 1,200 dogs at the event makes for tough competition, too.
"It's a good show," said Larry Bronson, from Bothell, Wash., who was entering his bernese mountain dog, Winston. "There are some good dogs here, beautiful dogs."
The show resumes this morning at 8 with individual breed judging until 3 p.m., after which is group judging followed by Best in Show.
Admission is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.