ABOVE: A sheltie hangs out with trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday in Soldotna. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year.                                 TOP: A dog jumps off a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday in Soldotna. (Photos by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

ABOVE: A sheltie hangs out with trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday in Soldotna. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. TOP: A dog jumps off a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday in Soldotna. (Photos by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dog show brings paws to Soldotna

The occasional bark split the air from the fields behind Skyview Middle School on Saturday, but for the most part, the crowds of dogs and owners were focused on the competition at hand.

The Kenai Kennel Club hosted its annual dog show and obedience and agility competition at the middle school in Soldotna from Friday through Sunday. The parking lot temporarily became outdoor kennels attached to RVs; rolling carts became grooming stations; the soccer fields became a stage for high-stepping canines and their owners.

However, it wasn’t all work and no play. Between competitions, toys abounded to keep the canines entertained, and treats packed many of the owners’ pockets. Down on the lower field, owners guided their dogs through the agility course and the cones for the obedience trial.

Dog owners came from all over the state to participate. There are only six dog shows in Alaska each year, so many of them take advantage of the local shows when they can.

Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@peninsulaclarion.com.

A dog dashes along a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog dashes along a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dog show brings paws to Soldotna

A dog dashes along a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog hops over an obstacle during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog hops over an obstacle during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog climbs to the top of a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog climbs to the top of a ramp during an agility test at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog takes a glance around while being groomed at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog takes a glance around while being groomed at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog takes a glance around while being groomed at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog takes a glance around while being groomed at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer walks his Dalmation along the edge of the field at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer walks his Dalmation along the edge of the field at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Ziggy, a standard poodle owned by Jackie Weaver, displays his groom job at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show and obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Ziggy, a standard poodle owned by Jackie Weaver, displays his groom job at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show and obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A sheltie hangs out with trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A sheltie hangs out with trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dogs wait with their trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dogs wait with their trainers before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer directs her dog through the agility course at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer directs her dog through the agility course at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A Staffordshire bull terrier takes the opportunity to give its trainer a kiss before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A Staffordshire bull terrier takes the opportunity to give its trainer a kiss before competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog jumps through a hoop during an agility trial at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A dog jumps through a hoop during an agility trial at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A Staffordshire bull terrier waits patiently for a treat while competing at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A Staffordshire bull terrier waits patiently for a treat while competing at the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dogs run with their trainers while competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Dogs run with their trainers while competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer holds her Great Dane for a picture competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

A trainer holds her Great Dane for a picture competing in the Kenai Kennel Club’s annual dog show, obedience and agility trials on Saturday, July 14, 2018 in Soldotna, Alaska. Dog owners come from all over the state to take part in the events each year. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

Most Read