Dogs of all shapes and sizes easily outnumbered people at the Nez Perce County Fairgrounds this weekend.

Some trekked across the nation for the chance of glory at the Lewiston Spring Cluster dog show.

Glenn Garity, president of the Lewis-Clark Kennel Club, said the fairgrounds is visited by hundreds of dogs each spring. Since its inception in 1947, nearly 900 dogs compete each year at the four-day tourney.

The contest will run until Monday, offering all-breed dog shows, obedience trials, rally trials and more. Admission is free, the competition will be held at the fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Palouse Hills Dog Fanciers shows began the first two days, and the event will conclude with Lewis-Clark Kennel Club shows.

Garity said while many aim for being best in show, the tournament isn’t the only reason why they travel. Breeding is where the money is at, he said — the more a dog is known, the higher their value becomes.

He added that most show dogs are worth a car payment, running for at least $2,000-$5,000.

Crystal Toupin, of Ogden, Utah, said she competes in dog shows because she’s a glutton for punishment. She said her Bernese mountain dog, Bodhi, has a lot of hair and needs a lot of grooming.

This isn’t her first contest of the season; she said she and her dog have been going to tournaments since January and have a long road ahead of them. She added she likes going to them because it feels good to see her dog look nice and watch all the training pay off.

LaNae Sharp, of Kennewick, said she’s been showing for around 50 years. She said she’s had a pug since she was in kindergarten, and has always been a competitor.

She brought her three pugs, Sebastian, Vivian and Skyler, to the tournament. Sharp added she keeps coming because shows are her passion and she loves seeing other pugs.

Angel and Aaron Lyons, of Spokane, brought their Chinese crested dogs to the contest. While they’ve been to hundreds of dog shows, this is their second time competing.

Angel said she and Aaron just visited Lithuania, Europe, to adopt their five-month-old pup named Ozzie.

Angel said she’s been in the dog industry her whole life as a dog groomer, and is excited to experience the other side of tournaments.

Jazmyne Schmidt and her poodle Nyxia came from Yakima to compete. She said her dog is a “natural-born star” who loves to strut at contests.

Schmidt is a dog breeder, and she said the biggest reason she does it is to raise stable dogs. Schmidt said not all purebred dogs are well-bred dogs, and it’s important to ensure they are as healthy as they can be.

Barbara Horton, of Anaconda, Mont., came with her Old English sheepdogs, Boey and Major. She said she’s bred them for about 40 years, and contests take her all over the U.S.

Horton said she’s always liked showing because of the people. She added it’s an industry where everyone knows everybody, and it’s fun to run into old friends at tournaments across the nation.

Mona Hommel came with her Bernese mountain dog, Wheeler, from Tacoma to the competition. She’s been breeding them for 35 years because of their goofy temperament and beauty. She said there’s something to the Bernese that makes them stand out from others.

“There’s just something about them,” Hommel said. “They just get into your heart.”

Kathleen Walshon, of Newman Lake, Wash., brought her sheltie, Jackson, to the tournament. She’s been showing since the ’70s, who said contests often bring tears to her eyes. She said it’s heartwarming to watch her dog enjoy competing and accomplish so much.

She added her favorite aspect is the companionship between her and her dog, as well as meeting people who love showing as much as she does.

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.