Ascension Parish welcomes dog lovers to Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show

GONZALES, La. (Louisiana First) — In Ascension Parish, hundreds of dog enthusiasts are heading to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center this weekend for our area’s premier dog show.

Organizers said the local economy is wagging its tail.

Handlers and owners compete for bragging rights and glory, trying to show that their dog is closest to the breed standard.

Ebony Holmes with the Baton Rouge Kennel Club said, “You have people that are dedicated to the preservation of purebred dogs.”     

Gary Luccioni is the owner of Golden Retriever ‘Val,’ who is a near-perfect specimen of the breed, and has such a friendly and healing personality, he even does charity work.

“Once you see a dog in the ring, strutting its stuff, it’s the best,” said Luccioni. “I’m so proud of him, he’s a champion already. Val is an AKC champion, he’s handled by David and Jennifer Harper. He just got his AKC Certified Therapy Dog title, so he goes to Ochsner Hospital and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.”

The Jambalaya Cluster Dog Show is attracting dog lovers who want to turn their passion into a career.                

West Baton Rouge resident Jamie Caballero said her daughter is waiting to get her own Collie to show.

“She wants to be a handler and an owner. She would like a rough Collie, like the famous ‘Lassie.’ Rough is long hair, smooth is shorter hair,” Caballero mentioned.

The dog show is going on through Sunday, June 1, and is free for anyone who wants to watch.

Winners are announced at the end of every show day, between 4 and 5 p.m., with the top dog being crowned “Best in Show” on Sunday.

Winners will get a chance at some big treats down the line. They’d qualify for shows like Westminster, where they could take a bite out of cash prizes.

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