Austin’s head was constantly swiveling, but the rest of his body barely moved late Saturday morning as his bright, white fur coat got a good brushing and fluffing.

“There is a special way you have to comb for this particular breed,” said Thaylia Smith, of Kansas City, Mo., the owner of the 15-month old Samoyed. “They are fabulous family dogs.”

Smith was getting Austin ready for his turn at trying to impress a judge during this year’s American Kennel Club-sanctioned dog conformation and obedience show at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. The Lawrence Jayhawk Kennel Club is a member of the American club.

About 900 dogs are entered in the two days of contests, which continue at 8 a.m. today, its final day, kennel club officials said.

Interest in dog shows is on the increase, as is the number of contestants, said Cedric Devin, chief steward for the dog show. Last year’s show drew about 700 dogs, he said. Most are from the Midwest.

“You have an incredible diversity in the same species,” said Douglas Taylor, the show’s co-chairman.

Dogs at this year’s show represent various shapes and sizes, from the tiny chihuahuas to the huge Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Irish wolfhounds.

Linda Clark, a dog trainer from Tulsa, Okla., came to the show with 12 dogs, including a Rhodesian ridgeback, beagle and Brittany, to mention a few. Clark was entering the dogs in contests on behalf of their owners.

“A dog show is basically like a livestock show, but we don’t like to call it that,” Clark said. “That’s a little crude for us. It’s up to the handler to present the dog in its best quality to the judge.”

Jerry McConnell, of Overland Park, grooms her Maltese at the dog show at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. About 900 dogs are entered in the two days of competition, which ends today.

Taylor, who also has been a judge in dog shows, said there were a variety of factors a judge had to consider when studying a dog. They include the dog’s fur condition, body tone and structure and even his bite, he said.

“A dog’s bite is his tool,” Taylor said. “The person handling the dog doesn’t count, but it is a show, and performance counts.”

Saturday’s winner of the top category best in show was a Norfolk terrier named Millie, handled by Shelly Green of Columbia, Mo.

The show is in the horse arena, while an obedience contest continues in another building at the fairgrounds.

A poodle gets dolled up with its hair in wraps. The beautifying effort came Saturday morning at the Lawrence Jayhawk Kennel Club's dog show.

Dale Hunsburger, of Trimble, Mo., clips the hair on his miniature poodle.