You would have to talk directly to organisers about the all breed shows, but for the major shows at Swords, the rules very clearly have been not to bring pets for several years (at least four now) and they are much stricter on enforcing this. Maybe you attended well before this? One reason is it is so crowded (absolutely packed and indeed -- unpleasantly so for much of the first day of big shows, as far as I am concerned
) and can be very stressful to pet dogs. Also, really, there are enough dogs there already -- too many generally, as the space is so small (it always amazes me some of the smallies are not seriously injured when they are walked on leads through the crowds). Also visiting dogs can be unexpectedly reactive or noisy or difficult and you have to remember that people are there for competitions that are very important to them.
There are announcements now at the major shows that pets are not allowed, and signs at entry stating this very clearly.
Really, it is a much nicer day for everyone for pets to be left comfortably at home and for the competing dogs to be the focus of viewers.
There were definitely people turned away the last three years with pet dogs.
For a family dog day -- there are many fun days and fun shows around the country, where all dogs are welcome and these are great for a family day out with the dog.
One is held in Bray every year, for example, and in Limerick, and I know there are quite a few others. Also, board folks do some regular cavalier get-togethers so that groups of cavaliers can meet up, which is a nicer and more relaxed occasion for pet dogs to mix with other cavaliers. Most of the show dogs are crated and the people showing have never seemed very happy to have pet dogs wandering around amongst them (actually some of the people showing often are not particularly friendly to begin with -- probably very focused on the ring! -- and often do not care for conversation either! :lol
.