Daily Events

Daily Demo Schedule

TIME	Daily
9:30 - 10:00	Trainers Toolbox: Your Questions, Our Solutions

10:15 - 10:55	Agility Paws in Motion

11:30 - 12:10	Obedience in Action

12:45 - 1:25	Sniff-tastic Skills

2:15 - 2:55	Agility Paws in Motion

3:30 - 4:15	Sniff-tastic Skills

Dog Show Conformation Competition

It all starts in the breed rings that morning…Great dogs from across the country, some from around the world, meet head on. For some, the day ends there, but for others, it’s just beginning as they hoist the coveted Best of Breed ribbon high and start preparing to compete in one of seven groups later in the day, and from there, the final seven face off in the Best in Show ring. Will it be the top dog? Or maybe a dark horse? From thousands of great dogs, to hundreds, to seven, until just one dog stands alone, undefeated: Best in Show!

Tricks and Specialty Demos

TIME	Daily
9:30 - 10:00	Trainers Toolbox: Your Questions, Our Solutions

10:15 - 10:55	Agility Paws in Motion

11:30 - 12:10	Obedience in Action

12:45 - 1:25	Sniff-tastic Skills

2:15 - 2:55	Agility Paws in Motion

3:30 - 4:15	Sniff-tastic Skills

Dock Diving

Have you ever seen dogs jump up to 30 feet! You just may when you see a variety of different breeds leap with grace, agility and ENTHUSIASM!

Great american dog show greet the breeds

Have you ever met a Mastiff? Petted a Puli? Wondered about a Whippet? Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the 200+ different breeds recognized by the AKC, from Affenpinschers to Yorkshire Terriers and everything in-between. Make friends with canine curiosities like the mop-coated Komondor, the hairless Xoloitzcuintli, the stilt-legged Azawakh and the double-jointed Lundehund. Meet regal Borzois, humongous Tibetan Mastiffs, towering Great Danes and tiny Chihuahuas. You may discover the dog of your dreams!

Greet the Breeds runs daily from 9 AM – 4 PM with a variety of dogs in the booths throughout each day!

Kid’s Corner and Special Events

Kids love dogs! But they also love face-painting, kids’ agility and a chance to play dog show handler themselves! Our experts will guide them in a mock dog show where they can “show” their stuffed pooch and even win ribbons!

Vet and Expert Talks

Here’s your change to hear from some of the top vets, breeders, trainers and pet product experts in the country. Meet them up close, ask questions and learn more from the pros that do this for a living.

Open Show

Open shows are for breeds that are not yet full-fledged AKC breeds, but they’re on their way! Have you ever met a sleek Thai Ridgeback? A cuddly Alaskan Klee Kai? Or fluffy Bolognese? Meet some of the AKC’s up and coming 70 other exotic breeds!

Great American Cat Show

Chat with our experts and learn about the many different cat breeds and get tips for how to keep your cat happy and healthy.

shopping extravaganza

Don’t forget the swag! Jackets, shirts, caps, and all sorts of iconic GADS-branded goods. Be sure to bring something home to your friends!

windy city grooming competition

The Windy City Grooming Show is presented by Groom Factory and is the first GroomTeam USA Sanctioned Event of the year.

Learn more or register here.

Rare Breeds Open Show

The Great American Dog Show continues to spotlight endangered breeds! Many of these breeds are teetering on extinction. If you’re thinking about a new dog—one you won’t see on every street corner—why not help rescue a rare breed from the brink of oblivion?

Coonhound Bench Show

See the many different breeds of coonhounds including American English, Bluetick, Treeing Walker and others up close during these special presentation and judging areas.

Great American Cat Show: Kitty Couture

Everyone loves a runway full of adorable cats showing off their unique personalities and special sense of style.

Chicago Cup Semi-Finals

They’ve fought their way just to earn the right to compete…now they’re here facing off against each other…and only six dogs will advance. Who will get to perform on stage Saturday night? There’s a lot on the line here, culminating in a $25,000 prize and the title of 2023 Chicago Cup winner—but it all starts here…