SOMETHING TO WAG ABOUT COMPETITION FOR TOP DOGS AT LONG BEACH SHOW.Byline: Kelly Puente Staff Writer LONG BEACH -- With perfectly primped puffs of fur and a nose held high in the air, Remy, a 3-year-old standard poodle Noun 1. standard poodle - a breed or medium-sized poodles poodle, poodle dog - an intelligent dog with a heavy curly solid-colored coat that is usually clipped; an old breed sometimes trained as sporting dogs or as performing dogs , has the attitude of a top show dog. "Remy just has that air about her," said groomer Rachel Corbin, of Greensboro, N.C. "She's beautiful and knows it. She loves to show off." Corbin typically spends about three hours grooming the poodle's elaborate white coat. But the hard work has paid off. Remy is currently the top standard poodle in the nation. "I think she has a pretty good chance today," Corbin said Saturday. "It's all about the attitude." Nearly 2,500 dogs are competing for a total of $225,000 in prize money at the seventh annual American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship, which started Saturday and concludes today at the Long Beach Convention Center. Dog owners traveled from all 50 states and 40 countries to represent the AKC's 148 breeds. Organizers also expect more than 25,000 spectators this weekend. Bulldogs, beagles and basset hounds pranced in the ring on Saturday for the first round of Best in Breed competitions. Spectators could also see rare breeds, such as the 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'. and the otterhound. A win in Best in Breed makes the dog eligible to compete for Best in Show, which will be decided tonight. Sherman the otterhound didn't win Best in Breed this year, but he's still a special dog, said owner Dick Greaver. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Greaver, there are only about 1,000 otterhounds in the world. The large, rough-coated hounds were originally bred in England to hunt river otter, but lost popularity after the country banned otter hunting in the 1970s. They are now considered the most endangered dog breed in Britain. "We're trying to keep the breed alive," Greaver said. "They have a great personality, and they're wonderful family dogs." A dog must have all the right qualities to win Best in Breed, said Sam Huston McDonald, an all-breed judge from Philadelphia. McDonald watches the dogs for poise, form and obedience as they loop around the ring. "Each breed has a written standard," he said. "But a dog could be having an off day. On any given day, it could be anyone's show." The competition also features two celebrity competitors this year. Actor and comedian Bill Cosby's dog, a Lakeland terrier Lakeland terrier, breed of strong working terrier developed in the 18th and 19th cent. in the Lake District of England. It stands about 14 in. (35.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 17 lb (7.7 kg). named Oprah Winforme, will compete for Best in Breed today. Oprah was named after the famous TV personality because of her rare, dark blue coat, said co-owner Capt. Jean Heath. "She has a lot of personality," said Heath, who has co-owned show dogs with Cosby since 1972. Heath, 75, and Cosby became good friends while working in the Navy's physical therapy program in the 1950s. "He fell in love with my dogs," she said. The duo now own about 10 Lakeland terriers. "Bill's been a big supporter of the breed," Heath said. "He has a way with dogs. They just melt in his hand." Spectators on Saturday might have been surprised to see Olympic diver Greg Louganis Gregory ("Greg") Efthimios Louganis (born January 29, 1960 in El Cajon, California) is an American diver. Athlete best known for winning back-to-back Olympic titles in both the 3m and 10m diving events. He received the James E. , who competed with his Parson Russell terrier The Parson Russell Terrier was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1990, and the American Kennel Club in 2001, under the name Parson Jack Russell Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier, respectively. , Little Nipper nipper a tool for clipping, e.g. for claws and beaks of small cagebirds. hoof nipper a pincer-like tool with the blades curved in to face each other at the ends which are composed of two chisel edges opposing one another. , in the show's agility competition. Agility is a sport in which handlers guide dogs through an obstacle course in a race for time and accuracy. Spectators could also browse through hundreds of vendor booths featuring gourmet dog treats, canine jewelry, breed memorabilia and more. The AKC AKC - Ascending Kleene Chain Meet the Breeds show features educational booths for all 148 breeds. Owner Scott Everett brought along his 240-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). named Largo. But don't let the dog's intimidating size fool you, Everett said. "You could stick your hand down his throat and he wouldn't bite," he said. "He's really a gentle giant." kelly.puente@presstelegram.com 562-499-1305 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) A 5-year-old 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). , Gino, enjoys a good grooming by his handler, Kate Batzer, during the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships. (2) A 4-year-old longhaired dachshund dachshund (dăks`h  nd, –ənd, dăsh`–), breed of small, short-legged hound developed in Germany over hundreds of years. It stands from 5 to 9 in. , Suessi, looks like a hot dog
trying to cut the mustard.
Stephen Carr/Staff Photographer |
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