MUTTS GET THEIR CHANCE TO STRUT.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

CALABASAS - They strutted, they paraded and even did a few stupid tricks on the runway Sunday to win coveted titles ranging from ``best smile'' to ``fastest eater.''

More than 255 mixed-breed dogs competed in the first Nuts for Mutts show at Calabasas High School, complete with a panel of celebrity judges.

``We want to bring attention, well-deserved attention to the mutts,'' said Kelly Dorafshar, executive director of New Lease on Life Animal Rescue, ``and to raise awareness about animal rescue, to get people to go to the shelters to rescue dogs as opposed to buying from a breeder or a pet store.''

Dorafshar said the idea for the event came after viewing a dog show, which typically features purebreds. She jokingly told her husband, Bobby, founder of the organization, that they needed to cover up their pets' eyes to prevent ``purebred envy.''

``It was kind of a joke,'' she said, ``and then we came up with the idea of having a mutt dog show that would feature only mutts - no purebreds - and funny things like longest tail and stupid pet tricks and mystery mutt.''

Organizers estimated between 2,000 and 5,000 spectators attended. The show's goal is to raise $50,000, which will go toward the nonprofit group's Education, Rehabilitation and Adoption Center, opening in July.

The ERA Center will educate the public on pet care and include pet therapy programs and pet adoptions.

The show featured competitions including ``longest tail,'' ``best singer,'' ``best stupid pet trick'' and ``fastest eater,'' where dogs wolfed down a half-cup of food.

Winners from each category advanced to compete for top dog as best in show. The top prize for pet owners included a San Diego Weekend Getaway and three free months of a dog poop pick-up service.

``I love my mutt, so I'm happy to be here,'' said judge Samantha Mathis. The actress, whose work includes ``The American President,'' ``American Psycho'' and ``Broken Arrow,'' adopted her dog, Frankie, from the organization.

All of the seven judges, including actor Brad Garrett from the TV comedy``Everybody Loves Raymond,'' own dogs they rescued from shelters.

``I think it's great, really great,'' said Larry Zolkewitz, who brought his 2-year-old terrier and chow mix to Sunday's show. ``It gives them a chance to show off their stuff.''

The Calabasas resident rescued his pet, Molly, from a shelter when she was 3 months old. He entered her in the ``most beautiful girl'' contest.

Vincent and Victoria Pavis of Santa Monica planned on entering their dog, Sadie, in several contests.

The 6-year-old pit bull, beagle and dachshund mix happily lapped from a bucket of water in the open field as her owner discussed putting her in the ``best smile,'' ``best pit bull mix'' and ``fastest eater'' contests.

``She smiles naturally (and) she eats naturally,'' Vincent Pavis said.

Carole Goldman of Sherman Oaks and her dog, Hank, nabbed the ``mystery mutt'' or, as one judge joked, the ``what the hell is it?'' award for small breed.

``He deserves to win,'' Goldman said. ``He doesn't know how adorable he is.''

Goldman, like the befuddled judges, has no clue to Hank's genetic background. She noted that Hank has legs that are too long and a bushy raccoonlike tail that looks like it came off another animal.

Other pet owners came just for the camaraderie.

``I just wanted to see all the different dogs,'' said Anaheim resident Carrie Ussery, who visited the mutts with her dog, Sarah, a 3-year-old purebred wire-haired fox terrier, rescued from a nonprofit shelter. ``You get to get out with your dog, and they get to play with other dogs.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) A curious canine peeks through a fence to get a better view of dogs getting judged Sunday at the Nuts for Mutts show at Calabasas High School.

(2) Celebrity judge Lisa Edelstein gets a kiss from one of the poochies in the Nuts for Mutts dog show Sunday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer