Best in show 2023 winner Camryn Powell and her dog Teddy.
By: Mary Genson | Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle | Published January 23, 2024
BEVERLY HILLS — Birmingham Youth Assistance is holding its 41st annual Kids’ Dog Show on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Ages 4-14 are encouraged to bring their dog to compete for prizes at this yearly event, which will take place 1-3 p.m. at Berkshire Middle School, 21707 W. 14 Mile Road in Beverly Hills.
“We offer a number of family friendly programs … to get parents and kids out there together engaging, having fun together, strengthening families, because that is a really good way to avoid problem situations, is if you can strengthen the family dynamic and find ways to help the family get out and have fun together,” said Ann Nazareth Manning, the board chair of Birmingham Youth Assistance.
The dog show will consist of five categories designed to be low stress: best costume for a dog and child, best trick, waggiest tail, best looking, and a fun game of musical sit, which is similar to musical chairs for dogs.
Camryn Powell, 12, won best in show last year with her dog, Teddy Leo Powell.
Powell had been wanting to participate for a while and was so excited when the time finally came to compete with Teddy. Musical sit was her favorite category last year.
She said she was “surprised, happy and excited” when she received her award last year. Powell plans to participate again this year with Teddy.
“She was just really excited,” Camryn Powell’s mother, Leasa Powell, said. “She was working with him at home to try to prepare for it, and it was a good experience.”
At this year’s event, families can meet comfort dogs brought by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Participating kids and dogs will also have the opportunity to learn an easy obedience command from an instructor from the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club. DJ Music in Motion will be playing music for guests to enjoy.
The 41st annual Kids’ Dog Show is made possible by Birmingham Public Schools and the support of Mike Palmer and his team at Premier Pet Supply in Beverly Hills. Other sponsors include Mills Pharmacy, the Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club, Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates, Fluff & Tuff and Blume Design.
“Birmingham Youth Assistance does such a great job in the community just involving kids in general with a lot of their programs in providing guidance and assistance for those that need it,” Mike Palmer, the owner of Premier Pet Supply, said. “It is such a great and worthy cause that we love being a part of, because, as a family owned and local business in the community, I’ve always felt it’s super important to be involved and enthralled in the local community in those that are doing things that are good and for all of the right reasons.”
Participants must register by Friday, Feb. 2. No registration will be available at the door. All participants are required to be checked on the day of the competition by 12:30 p.m. Entering a dog costs $20, which includes admission for the family and a goodie bag of treats for the dog.
More information on rules and regulations can be found at birminghamyouthassistance.org.
Direct questions to BYAKidsDogShow@gmail.com or call (248) 203-4300.