“It’s fluff, fluff and more fluff,” she said during the dog show, held Saturday and Sunday at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

To get to that perfect fluff, Zaner makes sure her dogs have a bath a day or two before the show. It’s then a matter of keeping up with the fluffing. That involves lots of brush work, but also a variety of products. One Pomeranian owner was using baby powder — scented, of course.

For Zaner, the Pomeranians are her chosen breed. She’s a strong advocate of people doing lots of research before getting a dog to show.

“Go to the dog shows and watch the breed, talk to the breeders, do some research, make sure the breed’s temperament matches yours,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
April McGuire, of Richfield, Minnesota, works on getting her shih tzu, Mavis, ready for her turn in the ring Saturday at the Fort Dodge Kennel Club Dog Show at the Webster County Fairgrounds.

April McGuire, of Richfield, Minnesota, set up her preparation area in a stall in the horse barn. It turned out to be a comfortable place for her and her shih tzu, “Mavis.”

Mavis enjoys the show trips.

“She’s great,” McGuire said. “She sleeps the whole way. When I pack she gets all excited; she knows we’re going.”

At home, Mavis has an important job.

“Her day to day is to be a foot warmer,” McGuire said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Mavis, a shih tzu who's human is April McGuire, of Richfield, Minnesota, is almost ready for her turn in the ring. The blue tissues will be removed right before she goes in.

It takes her about one and a half hours of brushing and combing to get Mavis ready for the ring. Putting the top knot in her fur is the hardest part, McGuire said.

“I’m still a newbie,” she joked.

Kalyn Erickson, 12, of Humboldt, was waiting to get into the ring with Athena, her American Staffordshire terrier. While they waited, Athena demonstrated that she could sit up on her hind legs and very cutely ask for a treat.

The cute trick, unfortunately, doesn’t get any ring points.

“It should,” Erickson said. “You should get extra points for cuteness.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Athena, an American Staffordshire terrier, looks up at her human, Kalyn Erickson, 12, of Humboldt, after getting to hold the ribbon she just won.

Athena earned a ribbon in her division once in the ring, which was not only a win, but also allowed her to go on to compete for best in show.

Rose, a Basenji who came to the show with her human, Carrie Jones, of Rochester, Minnesota, is in it for the treats.

“She looks for treats in everyone’s pockets,” Jones said.

As a reward, supposedly only when she does well but most likely just because she’s a good girl, Rose gets a little extra afterward.

“She usually gets a little extra steak or a little ice cream,” Jones said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Tina Zaner, of Mariana, Florida, works on getting Jimmy extra fluffy for his turn in the ring Saturday during the Fort Dodge Kennel Club Dog Show on the Webster County Fairgrounds. Reba, at left, patiently waits her turn.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Athena, an American Staffordshire terrier, shows her human, Kalyn Erickson, 12, of Humboldt, how good she is at sitting up as the pair wait to enter the show arena Saturday at the Fort Dodge Kennel Club Dog Show at the Webster County Fairgrounds.