Dogs put through their paces on the show floor - LNN

By Dori Modney

Primped and pampered – Lethbridge dog show a great success

Nov 18, 2019 | 2:58 PM

LETHBRIDGE — They come in a variety of colors, sizes and breeds. The one thing they all have in common, is that they are well-behaved – they also draw you in with that “come hug me” look.

But, you have to ask if you can pet and hug them, as some have been coifed, primped and fussed over, ahead of hitting the show ring.

This past weekend, Lethbridge and District Kennel Club hosted one of the largest-ever groups of K-9 competitors in the last Alberta show of the year.

Promotions Manager Evelyn Sera said there were more than 300 dogs comprising roughly 50 breeds.

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It was their annual all-breed dog show, obedience trials and rally obedience trials.

On Saturday, Sera said the judges were judging each of he breeds.

” We have all of our breeds divided into seven groups – one is the ‘sporting dogs’, number two is the ‘hounds’, three is ‘working’, four is ‘terriers’, five is ‘toys’, group six are ‘non sporting’ and then group seven are ‘herding dogs’.

Sera explained “They will basically judge each breed and then the winner of each breed will compete for the top four in that particular group – then, the dog that takes first place within the group, goes on to compete for Best-in-Show.”

“So, out of 300 dogs, it will come down to seven and then out of that we will pick, “Best in Show”, “Reserve best in show”, Best”, which takes into account dogs over the age of seven.”

“It’s a slotting scale, said Sera, “according to the number of dogs you defeat, and a dog can’t accumulate more than five points in one day and each day is a Show.”

“In this particular situation, we actually have four shows this weekend. There’s an opportunity for competitors to achieve points from four different shows, under four different judges. Then, for some of the dogs, which are working towards cumulative points towards the top dog in canada status. With each breed, the Canadian Kennel Club records the points they’ve accumulated over the year, then a dog can, perhaps, win All-Breed across the country or, in that particular breed, or they could be top dog in all of Canada in that particular breed.”

Tom Lee was on hand with his beautiful, and gregarious, white samoyeds.

“We enter all the dog shows in Alberta, including Red Deer and Spruce Meadows. We have two puppies here, Aurora and Totoska, and they need a couple of points. Our other two dogs are Canadian Grand Champions already and they aren’t here today.”

As for what the judges are looking for?

They’re looking at their chests and their rump and they have to have real black or grey colored eyes in samoyed. If there is red around the eyes, you’re not allowed to enter them – they will disqualify you.”

Lee concedes it is an expensive hobby.

“You need groomers, handlers, equipment and the food, it’s very costly. – it’s an expensive hobby, for sure – you don’t win money, it’s prestige, and as you go place to place, there is the cost of hotels.”

If you missed the weekend event, Sera says there will be others next year.

“We run three events through the year, this is one of them. In April, we run a total performance event, which is just obedience and rally that we offer at Picture Butte, and then in the summer, we offer our agility trial, specifically for dog agility.”

The show is worth taking in next year, as there are some gorgeous breeds.

“I’m ready for my close-up Mr. De Mille”

“Mom says I can’t run and play ‘cuz I’m all dressed up”

“All this primping can wear a fell out”

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