PUTTIN' ON THE DOG IN POMONA OWNERS PRESENT PICK OF THE LITTER FOR JUDGES' OK.Byline: Rodney Tanaka Staff Writer POMONA - More than 2,000 dogs competed for top prizes Friday at the weekend-long American Kennel Club American Kennel Club (AKC), national organization in the United States devoted to the advancement and welfare of pure-bred dogs. It is comprised of approximately 500 autonomous clubs. All Breed Dog Show, but at home these pets are already top pooch. ``She's a couch dog, part of the family,'' co-owner Joe Sanches said of 2-year-old Liddy, a 165-pound mastiff mastiff (măs`tĭf), breed of very large, powerful working dog developed in England more than 2,000 years ago. It stands from 27 to 33 in. (68.6–83.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 165 to 185 lb (74.9–83.9 kg). . ``She sits by the fireplace and watches TV.'' The show, organized by the Mission Circuit Dog Club, which includes Kennel Clubs from Los Encinos, Antelope Valley, San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of southern California. It lies to the east of the city of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and to the west of the Inland Empire. , runs at the Fairplex in Pomona through Monday. Nearly 3,000 dogs will compete each day, and many dogs are entered all four days, said Arlene Davis, San Gabriel Valley Kennel Club president and a program coordinator. The annual show has been at the Fairplex for 20 years. Judges come from across the country, and they change every day. ``If a judge didn't like your dog Friday, there's always a chance Saturday, Sunday or Monday,'' she said. Every breed approved by the American Kennel Club, which is a registry for purebred purebred progeny derived from at least several generations of animals of the same breed. purebred herds herds (or flocks) composed of purebred animals. Not necessarily registered animals. Distinct from crossbred herds. dogs, has confirmation competitions this weekend. Confirmation is similar to a beauty contest, judging the essence of a breed, Davis said. Every breed of dog has a standard, and dogs are judged according to that standard, said Antelope Valley Kennel Club member Betty McGehee. Dogs named best of breed compete in one of seven groups, and the winners of each group compete for best in show. Dogs may also enter obedience contests and agility demonstrations that include ladders and bridges. Police dogs will demonstrate drug detection. Owners paraded their dogs around the rings as judges evaluated the canines' gait. Many owners preparing for competition set up grooming stations outside their recreational vehicles. Some gave their dogs haircuts, while others ran brushes through their fur. Top dogs in the country, including the No. 1 Great Dane Great Dane, breed of very large, powerful working dog developed in Europe more than 400 years ago. It may stand as high as 36 in. (91.4 cm) at the shoulder and weigh up to 150 lb (68.1 kg). and No. 1 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). , will participate. Most of the competitions do not involve cash prizes. ``They don't do this for money,'' Davis said. ``They do it for pride of ownership, and lots of trophies.'' Chino Hills resident Kelly White watched bulldog confirmation competitions with her Chesapeake Bay retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed in the United States. It stands about 24 in. (61 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 65 lb (29.5 kg). , Banner, on Friday morning. Her dog was entered in an afternoon competition. Banner had seven puppies in December that were sold to people across the country. White said her mother raised Doberman pinschers, and she renewed her interest in breeding about five years ago. She enjoys seeing other dogs and other breeders, she said. ``Everyone here is one big family,'' she said. ``They're happy for each other, even when they lose. These people wouldn't be here if they didn't love their dogs.'' Emil Ramos, part of the Torrance-based Rodmin group, brought his English bulldog English bulldog see bulldog. 99 Dgreat One, named in honor of Wayne Gretzky. Show-quality bulldogs are priced starting at $1,500 because breeding them takes a lot of effort, he said, often including artificial insemination artificial insemination, technique involving the artificial injection of sperm-containing semen from a male into a female to cause pregnancy. Artificial insemination is often used in animals to multiply the possible offspring of a prized animal and for the breeding and Caesarean section caesarean section: see cesarean section. deliveries. But they're worth the effort because they're wonderful pets, he said. ``They're not as vicious as they may look,'' he said. ``It's totally the opposite. They're big teddy bears.'' San Clemente resident Sue Rucker let her miniature dachshunds Liebe and Heidi walk in the grass outside the show area. She could carry one dog in each arm easily, with each weighing about 10 pounds. < The Mission Circuit Dog Club presents the American Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show at the Fairplex. Take the Fairplex exit off the San Bernardino (10) Freeway, enter Gate 17 off McKinley Avenue. The show runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Monday. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, $3 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No dogs are allowed unless they're entered in the show. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Gabby gab·by adj. gab·bi·er, gab·bi·est Slang Tending to talk excessively; garrulous. gab  bi·ness n. , an English bulldog, lets out a big yawn while waiting to meet the judges at the American Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. The show runs all weekend. Stan Lim/Staff Photographer |
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