Westminster Dog Show: MYSTERIES SET AT DOG SHOWS

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, now in its 147th year, starts Monday with over 3000 dogs competing across 210 breeds and varieties. This is the second-longest running sporting event in American history, behind only the Kentucky Derby (see a list of Kentucky Derby Mysteries here). The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is three days of dogs!! You can watch live streaming. Check online. In honor of this amazing Dog Show, and keeping in mind how important dogs can be to mysteries and in our lives, I have put together a list of Mysteries Set at Dog Shows. 

And, to keep this post to a mystery theme, here's a link to the Mystery Readers Journal Animals in Mysteries issue. Available as a PDF or hardcopy. Here's a link to an article by Spencer Quinn, author of the Chet the Dog series.   Mystery Readers Journal will have another issue of animals mysteries in 2023. We're looking for reviews, recommendations, author essays, and articles. 

Enjoy this list of Mysteries Set at Dog Shows. As always, let me know if I should include any others.

One of my favorite movies (not a mystery) is Best in Show. Do not miss it!!

MYSTERIES SET AT DOG SHOWS

Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder by Sandra Baublitz

Best in Show; Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson
Sit, Stay, Slay; by V.M. Burns

The Boxcar Children: The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler
Dognapped? by Charmaine Clancy

Fashion Goes to the Dogs by Peggy Gaffney
M is for Dog Show by Dan Grylles

Final Entry and others (Murder at the Dog Show series) by Karen Harbert
Murder at the Dog Show by Dianne Harman

Death and the Dog Show by Susan Harper 
Judged to Death by LF Hembree

The Dog Show Affair by Evelyn James

Death by Dog Show by Arlene Kay
Nancy Drew Diaries by Carolyn Keene

The Deadly Dog Show by Jerold Last

Death in Show by Judi McCoy

Scooby-Doo! Steals the Dog Show

The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Susan Conant has at least one mystery that takes place at a Dog Show, but I'm not sure of the title. Let me know if you know. Thanks, Liz Zelvin, for the tip.

Bella and Reign: They would win at the Dog Show!

WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW: Dog Show Mysteries, Canine Treats & Valentine's Day

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, now in its 144th year, started yesterday with over 2879 dogs competing across 203 breeds and varieties. The real show began last night and can be seen on TV and live streaming. In honor of the Dog Show and Valentine's Day, and keeping in mind how important dogs can be to mysteries and in our lives, I am posting a recipe for Valentine's Day Dog Treats that you can make for your 'special' friend.

And, to keep this post to a mystery theme, here's a link to the Mystery Readers Journal Animals in Mysteries issue. Available as a PDF or hardcopy. Here's a link to an article by Spencer Quinn, author of the Chet the Dog series. 

And here are a few mysteries set at Westminster and other Dog Shows. As always, let me know if I should include any others.

MYSTERIES SET AT DOG SHOWS

Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson
The Boxcar Children: The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler
Fashion Goes to the Dogs by Peggy Gaffney
Final Entry and others (Murder at the Dog Show series) by Karen Harbert
Death and the Dog Show by Susan Harper 
Death by Dog Show by Arlene Kay
Nancy Drew Diaries by Carolyn Keene

***

Valentine's Day is all about chocolate. If you want Chocolate People treats, here's a link to Walker's Shortbread Scottie Dogs with Muddy Boots. This is a HUMANS ONLY RECIPE. Be sure and keep the chocolate away from Champ. I posted an article at Halloween about Dogs, Chocolate and Halloween Treats: A Dangerous Combination, and the same warnings are in effect for Valentine's Day.

Finally a Valentine's Day Dog Treat Recipe for your four footed faithful friend. 

Cupid’s Canine Cookies 
From the Home Alone Website, recipe by Ariel Waters (my comments are in italics)
Warning: Don't overfeed

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 to 35 minutes
Yield: 2 pounds of heart-shaped dog treats

Ingredients
5 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup beef broth  (choose one with no or low salt or make your own)
1/2 cup corn oil
2 eggs
+ heart-shaped cookie cutter  (of course I've got plenty of these)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet using 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Combine remaining ingredients and mix well.
With clean hands, roll dough out to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thickness and use heart-shaped cookie cutter in honor of the holiday. If you have a larger dog (or a piggy dog like Topper) use a larger heart-shaped cookie cutter, Perforate the cookies with a fork down the middle to break apart easily after baking. Instead of a cookie cutter, you can always roll the dough into 1/2 to 2-inch balls and place them one inch apart on the greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 25 - 35 minutes until they turn golden brown. Baking times will vary based on size of treats,  altitude, and your oven.
Cool cookies on wire racks, as far away from your dog as possible.

After treating your dog, store the rest in the refrigerator or freeze until the next visit from Cupid.

Reign

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stephen Huneck, Dog Mountain