Besides their involvement in cinema and politics, the family members of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) founder Vijayakant are great dog lovers. Two of their dogs — a Siberian Husky and an Afghan Hound — won prizes at a dog show organised by the Palghat Kennel Club on Sunday.
Three-and-half-year-old Focardo, the Siberian Husky, came second in the show while Manu, the Afghan Hound won the eighth place. The show was presided over by a judge from Indonesia.
“It was not an obedience trial, but a show to judge the breed standards. The health of the coat, legs, walking style, teeth and others aspects would taken into account in judging the dogs,” said Vijay Prabhakaran, son of Mr. Vijayakant, who normally accompanies the dogs to shows with trainers and his brother Shanmuga Pandian, a budding actor.
A total of five dogs from Mr. Vijayakant’s kennel participated in the show. A few week ago the dogs won prizes at a show in Madurai.
“We have 10 dogs including a Bullmastiff, Dachshund, Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky and Afghan Hound,” said Mr Prabhakaran, a final year student of architecture. He said his father was also very fond of dogs and would always ensure that the dogs’ requirements were met.
Asked whether theses dogs, especially Siberian Huskies, need air-conditioned rooms in the tropical climate, Mr. Prabhakaran, who has been breeding the dog, said “though many people say it need AC rooms, he ensured that the puppies get adapted to Indian climatic conditions.”
“But owners of the dogs taking them for shows keep them in air-conditioned cars to maintain their coat condition. Grooming once a day is important for these dogs. As sledge dogs, Siberian Huskies need a lot of exercise like walking and running,” he said.
