For Jose Homem De Mello, participating in the 15th All Breed Championship Dog Show is more than just a hobby- it’s a passion. An expert in breeding ‘Basset Hounds,’ he is not new to dog shows. A businessman from Lisbon, Portugal, he has participated in dog shows across continents.

In his second visit to India, he has arrived in Bangalore from Hyderabad after participating in a canine show there. “I have bred 23 Basset Hounds and a Labrador back home in Portugal. I am here on a business visit. It’s a coincidence that the dog show was scheduled at the same time. The arrangements here in Bangalore is much better than the show in Hyderabad,” he says.

Having raised the first Basset as a hobby way back in 1979, it has been no looking back since then for De Mello. Accompanying his Basset to dog shows from Europe to America, he proudly displays his Basset that was judged ‘Portuguese Champion’ in Lisbon. 

Hobby
“It’s a hobby. The name ‘Basset’ is derived from French, meaning short-legged. A scent hound, it is equipped to follow a trail over difficult terrain. In temperament it is mild, never sharp or timid, it makes for an ideal companion dog. Quite popular in Europe, the Basset is used to hunt rabbits,” adds Mr Mello.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Alluri Rakesh Varma from Hyderabad is another professional participant in the dog show. In Bangalore with his prized possession, a ‘New Foundland’, that is the only male dog in the country, Mr Varma breeds pedigree breeds at his kennel in Hyderabad. “I purchased the dog in Hungary and brought it to India. It is used in rescue operations during floods, in America and Europe. A very friendly dog, the breed found a niche aiding fisherman off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada,” Mr Varma said.

This gentle giant was used for hauling in nets, carrying boat lines to shore, retrieving anything which fell overboard and rescuing shipwrecked and drowning victims.

The breed was also used to haul lumber, pull mail sheds, deliver milk, and carry loads in packs. The Newfoundland was, and still is, an outstanding instinctive water rescue dog.

Many owe their lives to members of the breed. In 1919 a gold medal was awarded to a Newfoundland that pulled to safety a lifeboat with twenty shipwrecked people. It has been called the St Bernard of the water.
Organised by the Bangalore Canine Club, the show concluded on Sunday, with the two judges, Ramon Podesta and Philip John declaring winners based on their participation in two shows held on Saturday and Sunday.

RESULTS

Rajkumari Rajyalakshmi 9th Memorial Dog Show judged by Ramon Podesta from Chile, South America
Best in Show category: 1st: German Shepherd, 2nd: Basset Hound, 3rd: Labrador, 4th: Springer Spaniel, 5th: German Shepherd, 6th: Kerry Blue Terrier, 7th: Shitzu, 8th: Pug
Best Puppy in Show: Labrador
Best Bred in India Dog: Pug
15th All Breed Championship Dog Show judged by Philip John
Best in Show category: 1st: Basset Hound, 2nd: German Shepherd, 3rd: Boxer, 4th: Bulldog, 5th: Shitzu, 6th: Irish Setter, 7th: Doberman, 8th: Kerry Blue Terrier.
Best Puppy in Show: Shitzu
Best Bred in India Dog: Irish Setter