The first thing you notice upon entering NRG Center during the Houston World Series of Dog Shows is the air conditioning. In the thick of mid-July, it feels like a purification ritual.

The second thing you notice is the dogs. Not the ones in competition, who are tucked away in their designated area until showtime, but the dogs of the general public. They come in every shape and size, purebred or not. Most pant happily in an array of outfits – jean jackets, hot dog costumes, bright bandanas. Some snarl on tight leashes.

As my husband and I picked up our tickets, a Chihuahua in a tutu threw a tantrum in the lobby. Despite being football-sized, the furious little creature raged at a confused Cane Corso wearing a pirate hat. I said a silent prayer for the Chihuahua’s already annoyed owner and stepped inside the convention center.

This is my husband’s first dog show. It is my eleventh, give or take.

Growing up, this event was a beloved tradition. From age six to fifteen, my mother and I made the annual pilgrimage. Since I was not allowed to have a dog of my own, the show soothed an ache that no amount of stuffed animals or borrowed moments with neighborhood pets could reach. It scratched the itch, at least for a while.

At that first show, I thought I would be surrounded by dogs I could pet. While that was true for the public’s dogs, I quickly learned that show dogs were off-limits. Ruffling the silken mop of a Maltese before its turn in the ring is essentially professional sabotage. Careless caresses can undo hours of beautifying and break the dog’s focus. Focus is what transforms just another dog into an excellent example of the breed, one worthy of Best in Show.

Judging itself is a structured affair. Dogs compete first within their breed, organized by age, sex, and experience. Handlers guide each entrant around the ring at a brisk trot to showcase gait, posture, and poise. Judges evaluate stride precision, composure in stacked poses, and whether the dog reflects the temperament expected of its breed.

They check teeth, run fingers along spines to assess muscle tone and structure, and examine coat texture and shine. Handlers fine-tune every detail, adjusting paws, angling heads, and waving treats just out of reach to hold attention. A single misplaced paw or toss of the head can mean the difference between advancing or heading home.

Breed winners move on to group competitions: Toy, Working, Hound, Terrier, Sporting, and others. Dogs as different as Dobermans and Salukis parade through the ring, each demonstrating the qualities that define their lineage. One dog from each group is selected to move on to the Best in Show round.

Winning Best in Show is transformative. The show dog becomes a celebrity canine. Owners and handlers rise to prominence. Breeders see a surge in demand, valuation, and credibility. Invitations to elite events follow, along with media appearances and sponsorships. For a time, that dog is considered the best in the world, at least by American Kennel Club standards.

Over the years, I became less compulsive about trying to pet every dog in sight. By the age of ten, I had learned to appreciate them from afar. From my seat in the stands, I would try to judge each dog with the same precision as the person in the ring currently cupping its testicles. Gradually, I got better at picking winners.

My husband has never cared much for dog shows. He is a traditionalist who prefers his pugs with long snouts. Still, he packed his cameras and joined me in an Uber to NRG Center. Our driver, a young man with cool glasses and a modest manbun, had no idea a dog show was in town. When I mentioned the fifteen dollar ticket and ample AC, his eyes lit up.

“I should take my girlfriend tomorrow,” he said. “We love dogs.”

Inside, it is clear many couples had the same idea. Children are everywhere, for better or worse. Breathing in the familiar perfume of popcorn and dog smell, I’m six years old again for a second instead of thirty-seven.

We find a quiet corner where my husband unpacks his camera gear to set up the macro lens, an ideal choice for capturing the tiniest of toy breeds. I usually do not touch his cameras, but as he digs through the backpack, I hold open flaps and help zip compartments. I reach out to steady the camera around his neck, swaying on its strap as he repacks.

“Do we want to check out the market first, or head straight to the judging rings?” he asks.

“Judging rings,” I say. “But we are not leaving without homemade fudge from McScotty Market.”

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