MORE than 400 pampered and groomed pooches put on a show in Warrnambool on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Competitors travelled from all over the state, South Australia and New South Wales for the annual two-day competition at Friendly Societies Park.
Lady Bay Kennel Club secretary Rosie Hawkins said the event, which included the Warrnambool and District Kennel and Obedience Dog Club championship show and the Lady Bay Kennel Club championship show, was the biggest in the district.
Nicky Renwood’s Shetland sheepdog only arrived in Australia three months ago and took out the best in show overall in the Warrnambool and District Kennel and Obedience Dog Club championship.
Ms Renwood, from Niddrie, said she was hopeful of a win but didn’t expect it. She recently bought the dog after it had success at shows in America.
Another winner at the weekend was Dexter, affectionately named after the serial killer from a fictional TV series.
Every second day the cavalier King Charles spaniel is washed and his ears are brushed every day.
When he eats he wears a snood, which is similar to a headband, to stop his ears dangling in his food.
On Saturday, Dexter took out the best in toy group in the Lady Bay Kennel Club competition.
His owner Vivienne McLaughlin, of Melbourne, said the secret to a shiny coat was good quality dry food and vitamins when needed.
She said it was important the dog’s mental health was also looked after.
“He has to have regular walks,” she said.
“He has to still be a dog.”
Ms McLaughlin said she had four cavalier King Charles spaniels of each different colour.
But she said not all dogs could be show dogs.
“They’re assessed at eight weeks old,” she said.
She said one cavalier she owned didn’t like competing in shows at all.
“They have to have presence,” she said.
“They have to go out and say look at me.
“This is a passion. My husband plays golf but I say how do you cuddle golf clubs?”