Airedales, basset hounds, beagles, borzoi, bulldogs, Chihuahuas,...

Airedales, basset hounds, beagles, borzoi, bulldogs, Chihuahuas, chows, Great Danes, Labradors, Newfoundlands, poodles, Pomeranians, pugs, St. Bernards, schipperke, schnauzers, Weimaraners, whippets, wire fox terriers.

It’s a dog’s life--or, more accurately, 3,000 dogs’ lives--at the Mission Circuit Dog Show through Monday at the Fairplex county fairgrounds in Pomona. In all, 135 American Kennel Club breeds will be judged.

The four-day canine carnival, which began Friday, is held every Memorial Day weekend. It is one of the largest dog shows in North America and draws dog owners

from Mexico, Canada and Japan, organizer Lowell Davis said.

Not just the beauty of the beast is on show. Some dogs will compete in obedience trials. Others will prove themselves in agility tests: climbing ladders, balancing on teeter-totters and crawling through tunnels. Still others will demonstrate herding skills and the ability to sniff out narcotics for police.

The show runs through Monday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fairground Pavilion and Plaza buildings. Admission is $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for seniors and children. Entrance is on White Avenue, Gate 14.