Thanksgiving Weekend is for the dogs. Well, at least in Trout Creek it is when hundreds of dogs descend on the Trout Creek Community Centre vying for Best in Show.
“It’s kind of like a beauty contest and each dog has a standard they must conform to,” says Shirley Bell, one of this year’s judges, who has shown her own dogs in the past.
The Nipissing Kennel Club, that hosts the event, is one of the oldest Kennel Clubs in the North.
“Dogs are competing for the top honours, which is Best in Show,” said Linda Purdon of Rosecrest Kennels.
Contestants in the dog show head to Trout Creek from all over Canada and the United States.
“They come from all over,” said Bell. “Any kind of breed you can name and they’ll be here.”
“There’s probably about 175 different breeds of dogs to be shown,” said Purdon.
With about 300 dogs showing over the course of three days there could be as many as 900 dogs, although some of the dogs could be entered in more than one portion of the competition, including the all-breeds shows and the obedience trials.
The dogs are divided into seven groups that include sporting, hounds, working, terriers, toys, non-sporting and herding dogs.
Anne McDougall of Chieftain Kennels is a ring steward at the event and proud owner of some championship dogs, including boxer Sherman a.k.a. Ch. Chieftain’s Paydirt.
McDougall says the process is like an elimination contest.
The best dog and the best bitch are chosen from each breed.
After being subjected to the scrutiny of three different judges, specials, winners dog and winners bitch are selected for each breed. The best of winners dog and winners bitch go on to be chosen best of winners. This is done with every breed entered.
After each group is finished the best of breed dogs are entered into group placement.
Judges pick the winners of each class. The elimination continues until seven dogs – one from each group – face the judge ready to be selected Best in Show.
“He picks what, in his opinion, fits the standards for that breed,” said McDougall.
The same is done for the puppies to be chosen for Best Puppy in Show.
“It’s open to puppies six months and older as long as they are eligible for registration with the Canadian Kennel Club, the certifying body for dogs in this country,” said Purdon.
But it’s not all about good looks – behaviour does matter. If there are two dogs equal in conformation the judge also takes into consideration the behaviour and handling of the dogs.
The obedience trials are likened to the talent portion of a beauty contest.
“They are kind of the brains of the operation,” says Purdon, an obedience judge.
There are three levels of competition. The first is the companion dog title. The second is companion dog excellence that involves off-leash work and includes retrieving and jumping skills. The third, and most advanced of the obedience trials is the utility class for dogs trained in scent discrimination and responding to signals as opposed to voice commands.
“It’s a lot of work. It’s very intense for a couple of days,” said Purdon.
Dogs are also awarded points during the competition and it takes 10 points to become a champion dog.
There are also professional handlers representing the dog owners or breeders at the show, those that are paid to show dogs.
“Some head out every weekend going for top dog in Canada,” said McDougall.
There is even a competition for junior handlers.
“They are the young handlers – the next up-and-coming generation of handlers,” said Bell.
For some, there is a tall price to pay for the pride of their pup – handler’s fees, hotel rooms, mileage, meals and entrance fees. Some even bring their own accommodation and trailers start rolling in to the community centre parking lot on Thursday night trying to get the prime spots.
“It really is a fun hobby,” said Bell. “It’s really good for the family.”
Because the event is held over the Thanksgiving weekend there is a turkey dinner for those involved in the show.
Purdon says they have made lifelong friends at the shows.
McDougall says there is one important thing for visitors to the show to remember.
“Always ask the person or handler if you can touch the dog,” she says. “Some of those dogs have hours and hours and hours of work going into them.”
But the hours of primping and preening on the dogs isn’t the only reason not to touch a dog at a dog show. Some of the dogs and handlers are trying to keep focused before heading into the show.
“They get into their own headspace,” she says of the dog and handler bond. “Some of them have travelled very far to get there and have to get ready mentally for the show.”
But in some cases it isn’t whether you win or lose that makes a championship dog – at least to the owner.
“At the end of the day you take the best dog home with you,” said McDougall.
Pups on parade
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