Dogs strut their stuff at Morgantown show
Annual event draws competitors from around country
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Handlers and their dogs took center stage last week at Mylan Park as the Black Diamond Cluster Dog Show returned, drawing competitors from across the country for several days of judging and events.
In its 13th year at the Hazel & J.W. Ruby Community Center, the annual event continues to draw participants from across the country. According to Show Chair Vince Gerlovich, the multiday showcase regularly welcomes exhibitors from 15 to 18 states, with roughly 1,000 entries per day across its run.
“We love the partnership that we have with this facility, and it’s been so welcoming,” Gerlovich said.
The April 23-27 event is a joint effort between the Greater Clarksburg Kennel Club and the Mountaineer Kennel Club, with additional shows earlier in the week hosted by the Clarksburg Kennel Club. Together, the groups present four days of competitions in Morgantown, highlighting both the pageantry and precision of the sport.
At the center of the show is confirmation judging, where dogs are evaluated against breed standards. But the event also features performance-based competitions, including obedience and rally trials, designed to showcase a dog’s training, discipline and working ability.
For spectators, the experience offers a close-up look at a wide range of breeds — as many as 150 recognized by the American Kennel Club — along with opportunities to speak directly with breeders and handlers.
“What you see here is what you see at a show like Westminster on television,” Gerlovich said. “Just with maybe not as many champions.”
Held annually during the same spring window, organizers say the Black Diamond Cluster Dog Show, which continues Saturday and Sunday, plans to remain a fixture in Morgantown for years to come.