On Saturday, July 19, the Niles Main Street Association held its 25th annual Niles Dog Show at Niles Community Park. Visitors were treated to special demonstrations, contests, several dozen vendors and even a dog-friendly water park.
The volunteers of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue unit brought two dogs with them, who amazed the crowd with their specialized abilities to track specific scents both in the air and on the ground. The volunteers live with their dogs and are called to service about 20 times per year to search for hikers, hunters and children and to assist in forensic cases, accidents and disasters.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office also brought two K-9 unit canines. These highly skilled and intensively trained dogs can specialize in substance detection, suspect apprehension and more. Police dogs can search large areas much faster than police officers and their keen sense of smell allows them to easily locate hidden individuals.
More than 100 dogs registered for the show, many of which competed in contests such as Best Costume, Best Dog/Person Look-Alike, Most Unusual Mix, Prettiest Female, Most Handsome Male and Best in Show.
Vendors at the show offered treats for dogs and humans alike, as well as portraits, grooming, veterinary advice, pet supplies and pet-related paraphernalia.
This year’s event was very successful. Emcee Bill Cantrell, who has been with the Niles Dog Show since its beginning, said he didn’t recall ever having seen spectators “three-rows deep” around the main arena.
One hundred percent of the proceeds are split 50/50 between the Niles Main Street Association and Furry Friends Rescue (FFR). The Association sponsors many events during the year, most notably the Antique Fair (coming at the end of August) and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Since 1998, FFR has been an all-volunteer animal rescue organization operating in the Bay Area. It has saved over 15,000 animals since its founding and fosters about 120 dogs and cats year-round.
To find out more about who won, how to register and how to reserve a vendor spot for next year: niles.org/dog-show
Furry Friends Rescue
Pack Lyfe Rescue
