About 2023 UKC Winter Classic
January 19, 2023
Join us in celebrating all things coonhound at the upcoming UKC Winter Classic, February 8-11, 2023 in Batesville, Mississippi at the Civic Center.
Spectators are invited to attend UKC Winter Classic, a family-friendly coonhound event great for all ages. Comprised of Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, Winter Classic is an exciting event with lots to see! In the Bench Show portion, which takes place in a climate-controlled building great for viewing, the entered Coonhounds' conformation is judged by how closely they match the ideal image of their breed as described in the written breed standard. Watch as the field of entries is whittled down until the only one left is the overall champion! Bring a camera and snap some pictures of your favorite. After hours, in the Nite Hunt portion, hounds are judged on how accurately they trail and tree wild raccoons in the woods at night. No game is taken.
UKC Winter Classic started in 1988 and has been held at the Batesville Civic Center since 2013. This central location makes the event easily accessible, and the Civic Center offers a unique stadium atmosphere previously not experienced in the sport. The Coonhound breeds showcased at this event are descendants of the trailing hounds brought to the United States shortly after the country was founded. These hounds and hunting remain an inherent part of the countrys traditions, and the breeds are some of the most documented of all dog breeds.
Owners, handlers, and breeders will be available to share information on their dogs throughout the weekend. In between the coonhound action, browse the vendors to fill your dog supply needs! Activities begin around 9 a.m. both days and stretch well into the night as handlers and hounds return from hunting. When attending Winter Classic as a spectator, please leave your pet(s) at home as only dogs registered to compete are allowed on the event grounds.
Guided by the belief that dogs make a difference by being the best partner a human can have in the field, on the job, or in a competition event, UKC is a community for people and dogs to pursue excellence together. Founded in 1898, UKC has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of Dogs That Do More, and their owners, by providing essential resources to help owners and breeders make informed decisions. The dog-human bond is celebrated through family-friendly programs highlighting the instincts and heritage of purebred and mixed-breed dogs alike at over 18,000 licensed events annually.