COEUR d'ALENE - There's always next time. And for Debby Mongeau and her boxer, Jack, next time is today, as the dog and its handler came up short of the top prize in confirmation competition Monday by placing second.

COEUR d'ALENE - There's always next time.

And for Debby Mongeau and her boxer, Jack, next time is today, as the dog and its handler came up short of the top prize in confirmation competition Monday by placing second.

"It's not bad," the Hayden woman said of the silver finish. "But it doesn't get you any farther."

Fortunately for Mongeau, the two have another shot - as the two-day Coeur d'Alene Dog Fanciers dog show at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds resumes today.

The event, which has been prizing American Kennel Club breeds for around 20 years, draws all type of dogs and dog lovers to the area for one of the biggest shows in the region, as around 50 judges rank by looks, obedience and intelligence for the roughly 145 breeds on hand.

Sometimes it's not all about winning, though.

"It's fun, absolutely fun," Mongeau said. "The community is fun to be around. Everyone loves dogs and by and large the people are great."

Monday's event drew 1,100 dogs, shown by handlers young and old, occupying four buildings on the fairgrounds. Enthusiasts trekked from far and wide to attend, camping out on the grounds between shows.

And for handlers who came up short, there's always today, as another 950 dogs were ready to give it another go.

"It's a great opportunity for people who are interested in a particular breed of dog," said Delaena Bundsen, dog fanciers spokesperson helping with the event. "It's a family sport too. We have kids participate and they're really fun to watch."

Watching dogs prepare to compete can be just as entertaining as the event themselves.

JeanMarie Robertson was hair spraying her two poodles before they took to the ring.

"How else do you think you get 15 inches of hair to stand up?" she said.