Daily Events
Click any Event name that is highlighted in red to learn more about that particular event.
| Event | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great American Dog Show Hours | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Expo Hall |
| Great American Puppy Show | N/A | 8am-4pm | N/A | Expo Hall |
| GADS Greet the Breeds | 9am-5pm | 9am-5pm | 9am-5pm | Expo Hall |
| Tricks and Specialty Demos | 10am-5pm | 9am-5pm | 9am-5pm | Demo Hall |
| Conformation Competition | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Expo Hall |
| Shopping Mall | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Demo Hall and Expo Hall |
| Great American Dog Show Shop | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Main Entrance |
| Great American Dog Show Shop | 8am-6pm | 8am-4pm | 8am-6pm | Lower Level: Kids Corner |
| Kids Corner and Special Events | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Demo Hall |
| Windy City Grooming Show | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Demo Hall |
| Vet and Expert Talks | TBA | TBA | TBA | |
| Endangered and Exotic Breeds | TBA | TBA | TBA | Expo Hall |
| VIP Lounge | 8am-6pm | 8am-4pm | 8am-6pm | Expo Hall |
| VIP Reserved Seating Areas | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | 8am-6pm | Expo Hall and Demo Hall |
| VIP Lunch | 11am-2pm | 11am-2pm | 11am-2pm | VIP Lounge |
| Rare Breeds Open Show | TBD | TBD | TBD | Expo Hall |
| Best In Show National Owner Handler Series (IKC) | N/A | 5pm-5:30pm | N/A | Expo Hall |
| Group and Best in Show Judging (IKC) | N/A | 5:30pm-10:30pm | N/A | Expo Hall |
Tricks and Specialty Demos
Friday Schedule
- 10:00am – 10:30 am: Agility
- 10:40am – 11:10am: Obedience
- 11:15am – 11:45am: AKC Title CGCAU/Trick Dog Testing
- 11:50pm – 12:15pm: AKC Rally
- 12:15pm – 12:30pm: Trick Dog Demo
- 12:45pm – 1:15pm: Barn Hunt
- 1:30pm – 2:00pm: Scent Work
- 2:00pm – 2:30pm: TDI Therapy Dog Testing Demo
- 2:45pm-3:15pm Agility
- 330pm-4pm AKC Title CGCAU/Trick Testing
- 4pm-430pm Barn Hunt/Intro Testing
- 4:30pm-5pm Agility
Saturday & Sunday Schedule
- 9am -9:30 Agility
- 9:40am-10:10am Obedience
- 10:15am-10:45am AKC Title CGCAU/Trick Testing
- 11am-11:30am AKC Rally
- 11:30am-11:45am Trick Dog Demo
- 11:45pm-12:15pm Barn Hunt/Intro Testing
- 12:30pm-1pm Scentwork
- 115pm-1:45pm TDI Therapy Dog Mock Testing
- 2pm-2:30pm Agility
- 240pm-3:10pm AKC Title CGCAU/Trick Testing
- 310pm-340pm Barn Hunt/Intro Testing
- 3:45pm-4:15pm Obedience
- 4:15pm-5pm Agility
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!
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…
Open Show
Join us for one of the largest Open shows in America! Open shows are for breeds not yet popular enough to be 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 these and almost 70 other exotic breeds!
Dog Performance Demos
Cheer as dogs race around an agility course, leap for flying Frisbees, run a relay race, sniff out hidden objects, and perform amazing tricks! How do they do that? Learn what it takes to prepare dogs for different activities. Interact with veterinarians, groomers and trainers to learn upkeep, grooming and training secrets you can use with your dog at home! Maybe your dog will be the next star! Sit. Stay. Jump. Race. It’s more than just a beauty contest. Watch amazing displays of agility as dogs leap, climb, tunnel and soar along a complicated obstacle course as they race the clock for the fastest time. Ever see a doggy relay race? It’s the loudest 20 seconds in dogs, as teams of dogs race over hurdles to catch a flying ball and back again. And for those who really have a need for speed, it’s FastCAT, a drag race for every dog! Root for your favorite—and maybe your dog could be one of them next year.
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 nearly 200 different breeds, 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!
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?
Kid’s Corner and Special Events
Kids love dogs! But they also love face-painting, bouncy houses 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!
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.
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.
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 and agility into the pools along the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan.
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: Cat Talk
Chat with our experts and learn about the many different cat breeds and get tips for how to keep your cat happy and healthy.
Great American Cat Show: Kitty Couture
Everyone loves a runway full of adorable cats showing off their unique personalities and special sense of style.