Top dogs: Canines from across the country compete in Grayslake

Thousands of canines, along with their human pals, traveled from across the country to the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake over the weekend to see who ranked as top dogs at the Cool Cluster Dog Show.

“One of the reasons this Cluster is so successful is that all the top dogs in the country are here, from all over the United States,” show Chairman Ken Murray of Island said, adding that about 4,150 dogs took part in the five days of competition that opened Wednesday and wrapped up Sunday.

Among the attendees were Janet Parker of Jackson, Michigan, and Richard, her 9-month-old Chinese crested dog.

“They're a ton of fun, they're like living with little clowns all the time,” Parker said of Richard's breed, describing them as good companions. “I call them my herd of little Minions.”

Suzzie Bambule of downstate Manhattan made sure her 2-year-old English pointer, Charlize, maintained proper form for judging on the show floor.

“It is a cool show,” Bambule said. “You get to see a lot of dogs ... you're going to see a lot of good people from all over the country.” Kathi Boothe of Villa Park took cellphone photos of her grandchildren visiting with Akita puppy Einstein, handled by Jennifer Fridrich of Huntley.

“They're just beside themselves,” Boothe said of the grandchildren. “They're having such a good time.”