Show Guide · AKC Conformation · Dixon, California
Dixon Cluster
October 23–25, 2026 — three clubs, one fairgrounds: herding-group Friday, working-group Friday, all-breeds Saturday and Sunday
At a glance
The Dixon Cluster brings three clubs to the Dixon May Fairgrounds for one October weekend: the Northern California Herding Group Association and the Northern California Working Group Association on Friday, October 23, then the Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association's 62nd and 63rd all-breed shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Dates
October 23–25, 2026
Limited-breed Friday; all-breed Saturday–Sunday
Venue
Dixon May Fairgrounds
655 S First Street, Dixon, CA 95620
Host clubs
Northern California Herding Group Association · Northern California Working Group Association · Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association
Superintendent
BaRay
Entries
Closing noon PDT, October 7, 2026
Or at limit
Format
Limited-breed + All-Breed
Group shows Friday; all-breeds Saturday–Sunday
Specialties
Friday is group day. The Northern California Herding Group Association show (AKC event no. 2026622902) runs with four concurrent specialties — the Australian Cattle Dog Club of America, the Sacramento Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club, the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California, and the United States Australian Shepherd Association — with the USASA also holding a designated specialty with sweepstakes and the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America designated. The Northern California Working Group Association runs its fifth-annual two-show format the same day: a morning show (7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) and an afternoon show (11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.), each limited to 600 dogs, with NOHS, Junior Showmanship, and Beginner Puppy at each.
Saturday's all-breed card adds eight designated specialties: the Northern California Curly-Coated Retriever Club, Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club, American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association, Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club of America, Miniature Schnauzer Club of Northern California, California Central Valley Maltese Club, Northern California Pomeranian Club, and Dalmatian Club of Northern California — with concurrent specialties from the Golden Gate Gordon Setter Club, Redwood Empire Mastiff Club, and Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California, plus the Sacramento Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club concurrent on Sunday.
The days
| Day | Show |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 23 | Northern California Herding Group Association — Group show (AKC event no. 2026622902) · Concurrent specialties: Australian Cattle Dog Club of America; Sacramento Valley Shetland Sheepdog Club; Shetland Sheepdog Club of Northern California; United States Australian Shepherd Association · Designated: USASA with sweeps (2026471954), Belgian Sheepdog Club of America (2026126372) |
| Friday, October 23 | Northern California Working Group Association — Fifth Annual Working Group Shows: Show 1, 7:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (2026704301; BPUP 2026704303) · Show 2, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. (2026704302; BPUP 2026704304); each limited to 600, with NOHS, Junior Showmanship, and Beginner Puppy |
| Saturday, October 24 | Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association — 62nd all-breed show (2026223207; BPUP 2026223208) · Eight designated specialties |
| Sunday, October 25 | Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association — 63rd all-breed show (2026223209; BPUP 2026223210) |
Judges
The judges
| Day | Best in Show / Group |
|---|---|
| Friday — Herding Group show | Herding Group: Merle Taylor; Herding Titled Group: Shawn Petersen; Junior Showmanship: Nannette Newbury; Aussie sweeps: Darlene Hernandez |
| Friday — Working Group Show 1 (AM) | Working Group: Beth Downey; NOHS: Bridget Brown; Junior Showmanship/BPUP: Bridget Brown |
| Friday — Working Group Show 2 (PM) | Working Group: Bridget Brown; NOHS: Mary Anne Brocious; Junior Showmanship/BPUP: Beth Downey |
| Saturday — All-Breed | Best in Show: Kathi Brown |
| Sunday — All-Breed | Best in Show: Merle Taylor |
The judging programs and entry counts were not published.
How to enter
Entries are handled by superintendent BaRay and close at noon PDT on October 7, 2026 (or at limit). Three separate premium lists cover the weekend — fees below are per premium.
- Superintendent
- BaRay
- Herding Group fees
- First entry $37; additional $25; Veteran/Herding Titled first $25; Miscellaneous $25; Aussie sweeps $25; Junior Showmanship free; $3 per-dog-per-event card surcharge
- Working Group fees
- First entry $37; additional $32; Puppy/Bred-by/JSHW/BPUP $25; $3 per-dog-per-event card surcharge
- All-breed fees
- First entry $37; additional $25; BPUP/Miscellaneous/sweeps $25; Maltese/Pomeranian brace $18 first (additional free); Labrador/Pomeranian stud dog & brood bitch $25; Junior Showmanship free; $3 per-dog-per-event card surcharge
Plan your visit
The venue
The weekend is held at the Dixon May Fairgrounds, 655 S First Street, Dixon, CA 95620. Show hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday (herding group) and 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday–Sunday (all-breed), unbenched, indoor/outdoor.
Parking & RV
Parking is $10 per day; gates open at 6:00 a.m. RV: $65 per night reserved (two-night minimum); tag vehicle $55 flat; nonreserved $75 per night cash if available. Reservations are due October 7.
Worth knowing
The herding group show offers a Best Herding Titled award, and official show photos are advertised as available within 24 hours after Best in Show. Junior prizes include crate pads and gift cards.
Sources
- OfficialBaRay premium list — Northern California Herding Group Association (PDF)
- OfficialBaRay premium list — Northern California Working Group Association (PDF)
- OfficialBaRay premium list — Sacramento Valley Dog Fanciers Association (PDF)
- SourceAKC Event Search (verified September 24, 2026)