The History of the Famous Sewanee Dog Show

 by Matt Petrilla, M.D., Special to the Messenger

On July 1, 1986, Jeanette Hamilton, who was then the crotchety chief of the Sewanee Hospital laboratory, was sitting in the hospital cafeteria, along with other hospital staff, looking out its large glass window. 

“We need to have something for these old folks to celebrate the Fourth of July,” she declared. (At that time the hospital served as a part-time nursing home facility). “I’ve got it! Let’s have a Kids’ Dog Show out here on the grass!” You two new docs—put it together! (Diane Petrilla and I had just arrived on the Mountain three weeks earlier and were “fresh meat,” as Jeanette saw us). And the rest is history.

With two days to advertise and prepare, the first Sewanee Mutt Show consisted of a wooden show ring and an entrance banner (still used to this day). The awards were a squeaky toy, box of dog treats and a leather chew bone. Seven dogs were entered, and three kids went home squealing in delight at their achievement. Hamilton’s post-show evaluation was ruthless. “Not enough kids!” “Terrible prizes!” “That stunk!”

The second year had 15 hopeful kids and dogs, three official-looking generic ribbons for awards and boxes of doughnuts. (And, of course, those copycats started the cat show next door!) Post-show critique by Hamilton was, again, embarrassing. “Terrible turnout!!” “Doughnuts?! Who gives doughnuts as dog show awards?!” she barked.

For the third Sewanee Mutt Show, Sewanee resident jocks were asked to donate their old, dusty trophies stored in attics and basements to be refurbished. Community response was tremendous, and at least 100 trophies dating back to 1930 were converted to dog trophies for the next years, as continues to this day. Twenty dogs entered the third year, and the new prizes were a big hit, as grinning children walked off with trophies taller than they were. Finally, post-show evaluation got a “Not bad”from Hamilton. “But don’t slack off next year—or else!” she cautioned.

Over the years, changes were made to be politically correct, per the adults. The “Mutt” Show was changed to the “Dog” Show. The first categories were: Biggest Dog, Smallest, Ugliest, Best Trick, Owner-Dog Look-alike. 

But Ugly, Biggest and Smallest were felt to be discriminatory and thrown out. The venue was moved to the University football field, then to the site in Manigault Park on University Avenue used today. In 2005, cumbersome paper sign-in sheets were replaced with complex computer sign in, as we “progressed.” Adults got a piece of the action as judges sometimes awarded prizes to the adults’ dogs, but they were redirected to the origins of the show as an event for children. 

The emcee job was alternated until Lizzie Clark Duncan took the microphone. The crowds love Lizzie so much that she is now snagged to do the announcing as often as possible. 

“Best Dog Joke” was added to the show to fill in time as the judges made their decisions. Benches were added to accommodate the growing crowds of people and the ring made bigger to accommodate the great number of dogs participating. 

The highest number of entrants was 70 dogs in 1995, and someone (unofficially) counted 400 onlookers one year. The show was never canceled for rain until the first time in 2013, with organizers facing severe criticism encountered for “wimping out.” [Rain plans for this year’s celebration can be found on page 11.]

The show began raising money a few years ago, with donations going to Animal Harbor for proper care of homeless dogs.

Thank you to Jeanette Hamilton for the original idea and early “direction,” and thank you to the many people over the years that made the Sewanee Dog Show a part of Sewanee’s fantastic Fourth of July celebration.