People travel all over the country to show dogs, in the hopes of making it to the national stage at the Westminster dog show.
Kandace Orgovan of Pittsburgh said she shows her dogs as far as Michigan, Florida and Illinois.
The Erie Kennel Club dog show made the list for about a thousand dogs and their owners this year.
"We have people come from... the tri state area, and even from Canada," said Carol Maxwell, President of the Erie Kennel Club.
Even though registration at many dog shows around the country is down, Erie's is up.
"The Erie community supports us so much... and the convention center makes it very good," said Maxwell.
That's what brought Orgovan up from the Steel City.
"This is always a great show," she said, citing the convenience of the hotel connected to the center.
Many young competitors took the stage in the Juniors category, which allows ages 9 to 18.
"I started showing and I really enjoyed it... and I was good at it, so I kept doing it," said 11 year old Carly McNellie of Medina, Ohio.
Kassy Martin, who's also 11, and her aunt, came from East Canton, Ohio to show French Mastiffs.
"Just going into the ring... that's my favorite part," said Martin. How does such a small girl control such a big dog?
"You want to know your dogs personality and how they work... you can't let them control you," she said.
Of course everybody dreams of gold, but the young girls didn't put too much pressure on themselves.
"Just to have fun and do my best," was Carly's goal.
Kassie echoed that sentiment, saying "just stay calm and don't fret... know you did your best."
The show also runs Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $5.00.
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