Despite snow and frigid weather, canine enthusiasts turned out for the Cool Cluster Dog Shows in Grayslake, which began Wednesday and ran through Sunday at the Expo Hall of the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center. “I wish more of the public would come, but on this horrible weekend of horrible weather, I don’t blame them for not coming,” show chairman Ken Murray said Saturday. “Normally, with this weather, it’s not that good,” he said. “But … some of the biggest winning dogs throughout the whole country are here.” Murray is a show judge with experience as a professional dog handler. He and Virginia Murray also own and operate the Dominoe Pet Resort in Island Lake. Approximately 5,000 dogs were entered, with five winning best of show honors, he said. On Saturday alone, 950 dogs were shown with their handlers for judging in their assigned rings for breeds. The Cool Cluster Dog Shows series is presented by the Kenosha Kennel Club, Park Shore Kennel Club and Chain O’ Lakes Kennel Club. The event committee is made up of Ken and Virginia Murray, Lee Kouski, Paul Lehrke, Lori Scharneck and Susan Olsen. Meet Bear, 11 months, a male Australian Terrier who is being groomed on a table on Jan. 24, 2026 at the Cool Cluster Dog Shows at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun) “We’ve been having dog shows in Grayslake for 75 years,” Ken Murray said. There were dogs from outside of the U.S., including two fluffy, tiny Pomeranian breeds from Lithuania, both males, Da Vinci, 3, and Mimir, 2. Handler Stephanie Hentschel of Kokomo, Indiana, was assigned to show Da Vinci and Mimir, which meant swiftly exiting the ring to safely exchange pups for their turns at judging. Da Vinci won the “best of breed” ribbon in the Pomeranian judging round. An outing with extended family on a frosty cool Saturday. Steve and Linda Thompson of Wauconda, with their grandson Myles Weiland, 6 months, of Antioch, interact with a dog chaperone on Jan. 24, 2026 at the Cool Cluster Dog Shows at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun) “He is an excellent example of the breed,” Hentschel said. “He has a beautiful shape, beautiful hair. He’s excellent at moving around the ring, and he just has an amazing personality. He loves what he does, and he wants people to know he’s the best one.” Hentschel explained why owners want their prize dogs shown in Lake County. “For us, this is a local dog show, so it’s important to support our local clubs and our local events,” she said.  “We want to make sure that they can continue to hold shows for a long time, and we obviously want to make sure the public can come out and see some really awesome dogs.” Showing a prize Pomeranian by a trainer meant waiting your turn at the raised table in the ring for the judge to check the dog’s structure and health, plus there was walking with a leash inside white fencing, and in some cases, prancing with their pro handlers. Two smiles after a Best of Breed win. Da Vinci, 3, a male Pomeranian from Lithuania seems to smile with his handler Stephanie Hentschel of Kokomo, Indiana on Jan. 24, 2026 at the Cool Cluster Dog Shows at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun) Before they entered the ring, they were fluffed by professional groomers, also on raised tables. Hairspray was used with brushing to obtain the best puffy, pillowy look. Celso Schneider, a handler from Crystal Lake, groomed Hermes, a male Pomeranian pup. “There’s a lot of pleasures,” Schneider said. “One of them is to improve the breed. This is the first goal. You show so people can see, and you are showing your … breeding stock. “So once you’re judging, you’re comparing the dogs so you can see … what you need to improve,” Schneider said. The rings are busy with different breeds with handlers on Jan. 24, 2026 at the Cool Cluster Dog Shows at Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center in Grayslake. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun) ...read more read less