GOING TO THE DOGS KENNEL CLUB SHOW ATTRACTS NUMEROUS WELL-BRED CANINES.Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Royal High School's baseball players could only watch Saturday as more than 1,000 dogs descended on the open field next to their baseball diamond. The Simi Valley Kennel Club Kennel Club the principal body for maintaining stud books and registering purebred dogs in Great Britain. dog show, which has been running for more than 25 years, brought out trainers and dogs from all over California, neighboring states and as far away as Minnesota. ``There's a dog show somewhere in the country every weekend - it's like a beauty pageant for dogs,'' said show chairperson Bobbi Davis. ``(People) love their dogs and they want other people to enjoy the beauty of their animal.'' The owners and trainers not only love their dogs, they work with their animals on a daily basis in hopes of producing a champion. Simi Valley resident Mary Widder has been breeding and training Dalmatians for 27 years, and in that time she said she has produced 40 champions. ``The judges look for how well (the dog) moves, its structure - muscle tone and shoulder blades - and balance, coat and condition,'' she said, after showing her Dalmatian puppy, Jackie, in a competition. The range of breeds seemed limitless, from the well-known golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). and poodle poodle, popular breed of dog probably originating in Germany but generally associated with France, where it has been raised for centuries. There are three varieties, differing in size only. to the lesser-known Bernese mountain dog Bernese mountain dog (bərnēz`), breed of sturdy working dog first brought to Switzerland by the invading Roman armies over two millennia ago. It stands from 23 to 27 in. and Chinese crested Chinese crested a very small (6 to 12 lb), fine-boned dog with a hairless body. Small numbers of long hairs are present on the lower legs, tail and the head where they are called the 'crest'. , which has hair only on its head, ears and tail. Mike Beaston, who lived in Simi Valley for 18 years and drove in from Tehachapi for the show, came with his girlfriend and Rottweiler Rottweiler (rŏt`wīlər), breed of sturdy working dog developed from a Roman cattle dog introduced into S Germany more than 1,900 years ago. It stands from 21 3-4 to 27 in. (55.3–68. and took in the agility portion of the event, a type of obstacle course for dogs. ``It's just like people who go to concerts'' he said. ``It's going to something that you really enjoy.'' Vicki McGwire traveled from Alta Loma to show her pointers and explained her love of dogs and dog shows. ``I like the competition. It's addictive just like a drug,'' McGwire said. ``(We do this) for the same reason someone enjoys a fine wine, a race horse, a fine car - we just enjoy seeing a fine dog.'' The show continues today at Royal High from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the second round of 1,000 dogs. Admission is free. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) Above, Bobby Ott, left, and Kristen Kelly share a moment with Baily, an English pointer English pointer see pointer. , before the dog show at Royal High School on Saturday. At left, Sassy the dachsund gets some affection from owner Richard Thomas. (3 -- color) A husky contestant in the Simi Valley Kennel Club dog show runs with its owner before Saturday's competition at Royal High School. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion