It's now the canines turn to enjoy the limelight at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

The Gold Country Kennel Club dog show opens Friday at the fairgrounds. This is the sixth year of the event.

"This is one of the larger dog shows of the West Coast, with an entry this year of 1,761 dogs and 160 breeds," said Chuck Teasley, president of the Gold Country Kennel Club. "They will represent the seven groups that dogs are divided in, which are working, terrier, herding, sporting, non-sporting, toy and hound."

Teasley said most of the dogs that participate are from the West Coast - primarily Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Events at the show include obedience, rally obedience, earthdog test, junior showmanship and conformation. The show will be judged by 28 judges, two of whom are from Sweden. Judges are also from New York and Florida.

"Friday, we have two independent specialties, which is a show within a show," Teasley said. "Those specialties include Labrador retrievers and Boston terriers. Saturday, Sunday is the all-breed (show). Monday is a Labrador specialty again."

The reason for two Labrador specialties is that Labrador retrievers are one of the two most popular breeds in the United States, Teasley explained. The other popular breed is the Golden retriever. This year, 160 Labrador retrievers are entered in the show.

"We are going to have 14 rings starting at 8 a.m.," Teasley said. "Admission is free and parking is $5. People should enter through Gate 4."

Those who come to town to show their dogs live at various local dog-friendly facilities, Teasley said. There are also several such places in Auburn.

"We have 220 motor homes coming with people and dogs, and over 40 vendors of all things dog-related," Teasley added.

So how do the organizers manage to keep the fairgrounds clean during such an event?

"The majority of exhibitors are very good at cleaning after themselves," Teasley said. "But we also employ people to do nothing but that. Twenty-eight people are always monitoring the facility to keep it as clean as it should be."

These people include kennel club members and American Kennel Club judges, local breeders, local professional handlers and dog lovers from the community.

The best part of having the dog show locally, according to Teasley, is the revenue it generates that goes into supporting various "dog-related endeavors in the community."

"As a nonprofit organization, the Gold Country Kennel Club spends the balance of the year spending the proceeds of our show to benefit different organizations in the community," Teasley said. "For instance, last Monday, we donated oxygen masks for dogs in all the fire departments of Nevada County."

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To contact Staff Writer Soumitro Sen, e-mail soumitros@theunion.com or call 477-4229.

WHAT: Gold Country Kennel Club

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 1- 4.

WHERE: Nevada County Fairgrounds

Entry is free. Parking fee for a day is $5. For Saturday and Sunday together, parking costs $8.