You could forgive Kimon, Brando, Tommy and Pluto for panting while awaiting their turn. They, along with 500 other dogs, were participating in the 90th and 91st All-India Championship Dog Shows, organised by the Mysore Kennel Club (MKC) here on Saturday. The club, in a first, is also hosting Kennel Club of India’s 7th and 8th Federation Cynologique Internationale Dog Shows.
The shows were inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fishery Sciences University Suresh S. Honnappagol, while his wife released the club’s souvenir. More than 600 exhibitors from across the country, 565 dogs from 53 different breeds were participating, said P.V. Yathinder from the club.
“The special additions this year are the Old English Sheep Dog, Douge De Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, American Cocker Spaniel, Russian Borzoi and Bedelngon Terriers. Karnataka’s own Mudhol Hound, breeds from Tamil Nadu such as Rajapalyam and Chippiparai, are also participating in large numbers,” he said.
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Mr. Yathinder said with Indian breeds getting diluted, the Mysore Kennel Club (MKC) took it upon itself more than a decade ago to preserve them. “So far, the club has registered more than 200 Mudhol Hounds in north Karnataka. The Kennel Club of India has started micro-chipping Indian breeds while the MKC has micro-chipped around 30 Mudhol Hounds so far.”
In Tamil Nadu, the kennel clubs have taken up exclusive breeding of Rajapalyam and Chippiparai. The Mudhol Hound, Rajapalyam, Rampur Hound and Himalayan Sheep Dog were accorded national recognition with the release of a set of four stamps on them.
Mr. Yathinder said that seven judges, of whom five are foreign, would choose the winners at the international show. “We have reintroduced Obedience Trials this year. The competition will look into the agility and obedience of the dogs,” he said.
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The other special events include competition for Junior Handlers and Lady Handlers.
Many pharmaceutical companies and others in pet-associated sectors are showcasing their products at the venue.
Results
The 7th FCI Show was judged by Wera Hubenthal. The best in the show (bred in India) awards went to a Labrador Retriever owned by Vishal Pawar. The second best was a Great Dane owned by Yadwinder Singh Dhaliwal and the third was a German Shepherd owned by Rajan J. Thirumalai. The best puppy was a Great Dane owned by Chandrakant Magdum.
The 90th MCI show was judged by Rodi Hubenthal. The best was a Rottweiler owned by Gaurav P. Singh. The second was a Basset Hound owned by Pearl Gloria Gomes.
The third was a German Shepherd owned by Sanjay Kumar Singh. The best puppy was the same owned Mr. Magdum.