JOIN US‘Beauty’ was resting in a make-shift cage, ‘Ice’ was giving a tough time to its handlers, due to travel blues. ‘Irish Setter’ was being dressed, with foreign women handlers giving it a touch of rouge.
‘Beauty’, a year-old Italian Mastiff was the cynosure of all eyes, being the only breed of its kind at the two-day, first and second All Breed Championship Dog Showm organised by Karavali Canine Club at Police Ground on Saturday.
Stave Hopley, a former chef-turned-dog breeder from Bengaluru, said ‘Beauty’ is one among seven mastiffs, besides ‘Ice’ (Shih Tzu). He has not less than 30 exotic and different breeds at his house cum breeding centre behind Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru. Like his wife Aisha Sultana Hopley, he too vouched for ‘Beauty’ for her show quality.
Wash and make-up
Rajesh and Vikram of Mak Kennels, Bengaluru, the managers of Sharath Bagegowda, the main breeder, wanted to ensure all comfort to three species of dogs that they had driven in a custom-built ambulance with air-conditioning to the show. As the curious spectators watched, an Irish Setter was given a shampoo bath, followed by drying and make-up.
Another breeder Sunil Gowda from Bengaluru had a hairy Afghan Hound that ambled and jumped as and when the handlers moved, winning great rounds of applause from the gathering.
Anup from Sullia and Rajesh Poojary from Udupi had Caravan Hounds that had many mistaking them for our very own Mudhol. Yet, how can one forget Mudhol, with Mallikarjun and his friends coming all the way from Bagalkot with five fully grown Mudhols to the show.
Siberian Husky, Cocker Spaniel, Rottweiler and Pug were also spotted with their handlers giving individual attention.
If that was about expensive and rare breeds, the ubiquitous German Shepherd Alsatians had occupied the other side, with their handlers competing with one another.
Heather Morrison from Australia and Stanely Shen from Singapore were the juries for the show.
Earlier, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel kick-started the show by walking a dog into the arena.
DH News Service