30-04-2025
Boston Terriers compete for top spot ahead of derby weekend
OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) — At the Owensboro Convention Center, hundreds of Boston Terrier owners are competing for one of the most prestigious titles in the country. The Boston Terrier Club of America's National Specialty is drawing in visitors from all over the world.
It's a five-day competition of who can put their best paw forward. The Boston Terrier Club of America welcomes over 200 dogs to Owensboro for the first time.
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Officials say hosting the 130th National Specialty in Owensboro helps handlers with travel time, as its more centrally located.
''…Oregon. I know several people from California. I believe we have entries from overseas,' says Dominic Koon, the President of the Boston Terrier Club of America.
This year's competition is called 'Run for the Rosettes' … A tribute to the host state's derby week. Competition judges analyze each canine what they define as the standard.
'Does the Boston Terrier have a square head? Does it have smaller ears? Does it have a level top? Is it square?,' says Koon.
Officials say pedigree matters, but a dog's good condition could make room for a higher score. It features everything from obedience to agility trials. For those under 18-years-old, there's a junior competition.
'They're learning how to care for a dog. They actually get graded differently in the round. They're graded on how they handle the dog,' says Koon.
Darlus Gerson has over 25 years of experience competing and says the junior competition is what kicked it all off for her family. It was a way to bond with her youngest daughter , who was 12 at the time.
'Our other two daughters that were older were in the malls. We decided to do something that the family could participate in together. It keeps you outside in the park with your dogs and your family. [Boston Terriers] excel at being your best friends,' says Gerson, a competitor from California.
She and her husband traveled from the west coast for a chance at a first place ribbon in the bred-by-exhibitor competition
'We started on Friday night, and it took us about 24 hours worth of plane flights and everything,' says Gerson.
Officials say competition will close with the Boston of the Year competition. It's only open to those who have scored in the top 20 throughout the year. Each competitor gets 3 minutes to showcase their dog with a song of their choice and develop memories for a lifetime.
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