By Patience Renzulli

June 4, 2008

President Lee King helps prepare the Paducah Kennel Club grounds for the show.

You've seen the dog shows on TV, and in the great movie, Best In Show. Well now you can see the real thing right here in Western Kentucky, including this Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, during the Paducah Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show!

The Paducah Kennel Club was formed in 1956, when you could buy a home in a brand new development off of Lone Oak Road for around $12,000, or rent a nice apartment in town for around $35 a month. In those days members met in each other's homes, and the first AKC recognized dog show was held in 1959. Shows were held at Noble Park, Burly Mart and the Jackson Purchase Electrical Park.

Paducah Kennel Club members Jessica Wilhelm and Alice Jackson spruce up the meeting room doors.

In 1996, the brave Kennel Club membership had the courage and foresight to purchase 19 unimproved acres on Fisher Road (route 305) out near where it meets route 62. They had a building shell constructed, just the roof and floor and walls, and those members did the dry walling, painting and all the finishing touches of what is now the Paducah Kennel Club.

Today, the club houses a training room where classes are conducted, and a meeting room where the club meets monthly. Meetings are the second Tuesdays, 7 p.m., and guests are welcome.

Located at 1325 Fisher Rd., the Paducah Kennel Club members meet the first Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m.

The property is gorgeous with shade trees which are finally big enough to do their jobs. There are 64 RV hookups to accommodate the guests, and a grooming pavilion for primping the pooches before they show.

Lee King has been president of the club since 1991, and is understandably proud of everything the members do. "We'll celebrate our 50th Anniversary Dog Show next year," she says. "That's really something. And at a time when many smaller, rural dog shows are unable to survive, what with the price of gas, we've got 541 dogs entered right here in Paducah."

Boston Terrier Ch Tuff Stuff's Zazzman MX, MXJ, won Best of Breed or Variety in June 1999.

Show Chair Vicki Singleton is thrilled. "We are grateful to our Best In Show sponsors," she says. "Saturday's Best In Show is sponsored by Chip Wynn Jeep, and Sunday's is sponsored by Paducah Bank. We have judges who have judged the Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden coming to our show this year.

"We are so fortunate to have this beautiful property," Singleton adds. "Every year the judges, the exhibitors, and the spectators rave about our picturesque, dog friendly show grounds."

All Breed Dog Show admission to the public is free, but due to a strict AKC rules, only dogs entered in the show are allowed on the premises during show hours. Strollers not allowed, and children must be under the direct supervision of an adult. Ask before petting any dog! Enjoy the fantastic vendors!

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