JOIN USThe great Indian dog show
A dog show for Indian dogs is perhaps a concept that is unheard of. But a few Indian dog lovers made it possible as they recently organised one of the biggest Indian dog shows in the City for the first time.
Bangaloreans responded with equal enthusiasm and more than 60 dogs participated in the show.
What made this dog show different from the others was that the dogs did not have to obey any command or be at their best behaviour— they could just be themselves.
“We had different categories under which the dogs were judged. But these were very different from the other shows. We also had some wacky categories like the waggiest tail, wackiest name, survivor dog, tiny winy, friendliest dog, naughtiest dog etc. If a dog wanted to bark, it could bark, if it wanted to play, it could play. We didn’t restrict them,” said Dr Mansi, one of the organisers of the show.
Mansi and a few of her friends, who had Indian dogs like mongrels as pets, organised this show so that Indian dog lovers could get chance to participate in a dog show.
“If you see, none of the dog shows allow Indian dog lovers to participate. We had nowhere to go and hence came up with this show and the response has been amazing.
We are also trying to promote the adoption of Indian dogs, as they are better suited for Indian climate. We are against buying and selling of dogs and would prefer adoption,” added Mansi.
The show also had an adoption counter where puppies were displayed for adoption.This had many takers as well.
“I already have a six-month-old Indian dog at home but these puppies are so adorable that I want another one. I think it’s a wonderful show and we Indian dog lovers now have a platform to meet others as well as discuss some of the issues that the homeless dogs have,” said Robin Mathew, one of the participants.
Clap, an eight-year-old dog, loves biking around with her master and is up for a ride anytime of the day and night. She just needs a nod from her master and springs up to the bonnet for a quick ride.
“I bought her when she was 20 days old. As I travel a lot, I used to carry her in a backpack on the bike. One day, I noticed that her hind legs coming out of the bag. Slowly, she sat on the bonnet and enjoyed the ride,” said Ankush Sharma, a participant.
The duo has been on many such long journeys like Mumbai to Goa.
There was a lot to learn from the dogs as well as their masters. Some of the dogs, which had been victims of abuse and violence, were now happy with their masters and were used as therapy dogs.
“Manu was abandoned by his previous owner as he had a skin disease. When he was treated and rehabilitated to a new place, the dogs of that locality made him blind. It was then that I adopted him. He has been a wonderful companion and is used as a therapy dog for the differently-abled children,” added Levin, a volunteer at a veterinary hospital.