Houston World Series of Dog Shows 2015: Dates, Schedule and More

Houston is going to the dogs. Literally. 

The 2015 Houston World Series of Dog Shows is set to kick off Wednesday, July 17, and will provide canine lovers with five days of competitions, events and seminars.

With almost 170 different breeds to be judged, officials will be plenty busy over the next week as they take a look at some of the best dogs the world has to offer.

Continue below for the complete schedule of the week's events and a glimpse at some of the competitions dogs can enter.

Date	Event	Time (EDT)
Wednesday, July 15	General Show	10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday, July 16	General Show	9 a.m.-6 p.m.
	Flyball/Agility	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Rat N Gos	10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Hands-On Mini Clinic	1-2 p.m.
	Group and Best in Show Judging	4-8 p.m.
Friday, July 17	General Show	9 a.m.-6 p.m.
	Agility, Flyball and Obedience	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Frisbee and Canine Musical Freestyle	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Rat N Go	10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m.
	Group and Best in Show Judging	4-8 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Association Fun Test	7 p.m.
Saturday, July 18	General Show	9 a.m.-6 p.m.
	Agility, Flyball and Obedience	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Frisbee and Canine Musical Freestyle	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	AKC My Dog Can Do That!	10 a.m.-4 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Rat N Go	10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Hands-On Mini Clinic	1-2 p.m.
	Creative Dog Grooming Contests	10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
	Dog Grooming Education Seminars	10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
	Meet the Breeds	11 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Weight and Sled Pull	11 a.m.-12 p.m.
	Group and Best in Show Judging	4-8 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Association Fun Test	7 p.m.
Sunday, July 19	General Show	9 a.m.-6 p.m.
	Agility, Flyball and Obedience	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Frisbee and Canine Musical Freestyle	9 a.m.-5 p.m.
	AKC My Dog Can Do That!	10 a.m.-4 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Rat N Go	10 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-5 p.m.
	Barn Hunt Hands on Mini Clinic	1-2 p.m.
	Creative Dog Grooming Contests	10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
	Dog Grooming Education Seminars	10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
	Meet the Breeds	11 a.m.-5 p.m.
	Group, Best in Show and Best of the Best Judging	4-8 p.m.

AKC My Dog Can Do That! 

This competition is open to any dog over six months old, and it gives all owners—professional or not—a chance to get their dogs on stage. 

Professional coaches help lead dogs through a course that tests their speed and agility. The event's official website says it is "free from the pressures of an actual competition."

All-Breed Weight Pull

The competition's website claims some breeds can pull approximately one ton.

The dogs, which will be divided into weight classes, will be pulling wheeled, open carts in an enclosed area. 

Barn Hunt

Dogs are given a chance to chase, hunt and catch rats. The competition is split into three different events: the Rat N Go, the Hands-On Mini Clinic and the Barn Hunt Association Fun Test. 

Don't worry—the rats are not harmed, according to BarnHunt.com. But dogs must have rabies vaccinations in order to compete. 

Event information courtesy of HoustonDogShows.com