JOIN USFurry contestants of 45 breeds in race for top spot at dog show
The first day of the 38th and 39th Grand All Breeds Championship Dog Show organised by the Bangalore Canine Club saw hundreds of dogs, waiting for their turn to be in the limelight.
Tall, majestic Great Danes, ferocious-looking German Shepherds and Shih Tzus, which looked like furballs on feet, were just a few of the more than 45 different breeds that participated in the dog show at RBANM’s grounds, Halasuru.
With their fur coats trimmed and shampooed, teeth brushed, the dogs had to be at their best before the judges. Their health, how they run, their behaviour -- everything counts in the race to become a top dog.
Frank Kane from UK and Michael Camac were the international judges for the show.
The 12-month-old Glossy is a naughty Beagle who saved her best behaviour for the show, making it through the first round in the category for puppies. “My one-year-old son and Glossy fight to sit on his grandma’s lap. She has been very excited from the time we got here because there are so many dogs to play with,” her owner Rekha N said.
Watching the handler parade Gowda, their Harlequin Great Dane, Deekshith Gowda and his little sister were very excited. “We love Gowda. He does not bite us and we often sit on him,” the Class III student said.
The family has seven such Great Danes in their house in Jaraganahalli.
“I have had a craze for Great Danes for the past 24 years. Gowda has taken part in several such dog shows in the past and he is an international champion,” owner R Kumar said.
While some have a passion for large dogs, others prefer smaller breeds. Mrinmoy Datta and his family live with three pugs and two pomeranians in their 1,100 sqft apartment.
“My job is very stressful. Sometimes I have to be away from home for days together. When I come back and play with our dogs, I forget all my troubles,” Datta said.
His 11-year-old daughter Ashmeeta is a natural with dogs.
She won the best lady handler award at the Karavali Canine Club dog show held in Mangaluru, beating other older, more-experienced handlers. “I just try to be friendly with them. It is very important to make eye contact. If you don’t focus on them, they will not listen to you,” Ashmeeta said.
Prizes for top dogs in the different categories and best handlers will be announced on Sunday.