Calgary Stampede cancels Superdogs in favour of U.S. company, irking Canadian organizers

The fact they're being replaced by a U.S.outfit makes the removal of the Superdogs show from the Calgary Stampede sting even more, said the president of the company behind the Canadian contingent.

"It does get under our skin,"Phil Shuchat, president of Spot On Entertainment which runs the Superdogs told TheCalgary Eyeopener.

"We were sensitive to that and we're Canadian through-and-through and we feel if there's a Canadian who can do as good a job or better than an American, we think it should go to a Canadian company."

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After 37 years as a Stampede staple, officials announced the Montreal-based Superdogs will be replaced this year by a different dog-performance group:Canine Stars, based out of Colorado.

"We've certainly been a part of the fabric of the Stampede for so many years, so it's taking some getting used to but in the long run I think we'll be just fine," said Shuchat.

Stampede spokeswoman Jennifer Booth said the decision wasn't an easy one, but was necessary.

"We do change a number of things year-to-year or after a few years we re-evaluate things and this year we wanted to change things up," she said.

"We have a fairly large amphitheatre outside that will be able to accommodate more guests per show as well as we're going to be able to have more shows per day with (the Canine Stars)."

"This particular program has all of the high-jumping and the dog agility and freestyle Frisbee, but it also has an exhilarating dock diving act we thought that was really unique for this year and we're really excited to see it."

Trainers heartbroken

A trainer with the Superdogs for the last 17 years, Calgarian Sherry Etifier said not getting to perform in her hometown is heartbreaking.

"It's like this disappointment in the pit of your stomach," she told the Eyeopener. "You're at a loss."

"It's very surreal to be on stage and to think, 'Wow, I'm in Calgary at this world event and my dogs are doing well.' They go out there and shine on the stage because they love it so much," Etifier continued.

"It's such a moment to say I'm a Calgarian and I'm at the Calgary Stampede."

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With files from The Calgary Eyeopener