From the “popular” golden retrievers, cocker spaniels and German shepherds, to the “rare” Mudhol hounds, Siberian huskies, Maltese poodles and Jack Russell terrier, it was a veritable dogs’ day out at the 108th and 109th All India Championship Dog Shows here on Sunday.
The competition was secondary, and breed-spotting became the primary indulgence for the thousands gathered.
Organised by Mysore Kennel Club, Bengaluru, nearly 450 dogs from 44 breeds from across the country made their way to the Veterinary College of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Science University here.
The dogs were undoubtedly the celebrities of the event, with numerous visitors gathering around to take photographs and selfies with the groomed canines. Trotting around the rinks with their handler in tow, the dogs competed against one another in grace, upkeep, grooming, and mannerisms. The canines were at their picture-perfect obedient best, while the crowd were on their feet, cheering and howling through the competitions.
More than 200 of the entrants had travelled from outside Bengaluru for the competition. M. Gopalakrishna from Chennai had brought along with him seven dogs, including an Irish setter and ‘Bamban’, a pug which had been crowned a “national champion” in previous editions of the competition.
With hypnotising blue eyes and a gentle poise, 14-month-old ‘Rhythm’, a Siberian husky, became an instant favourite with the children at the event. “In India, huskies can be bred in places such as Bengaluru and Ooty, where it gets cold. They are easy to train, but they cannot be left alone because they have a tendency to run away,” said Abhijit Hardikar, who along with his wife, Shivani, raise four other pure-breed dogs in the city.
Amid the “international breeds” were the home-grown favourites: the Mudhol hounds. A total of 15 dogs from the Mudhol Hounds Research and Information Centre, Bagalkot, bagged more than 40 prizes at the events; the bulk of it going to ‘Chenni’, a veteran of four championships.
Winners
Breeders Arvind Raju and Mahesh Amale took home the top honours at both the championships, with their Great Dane being declared the ‘Best in show’ at the 108th and 109th editions. The Mudhol hound won the best Indian breed at both the championships.
