Groomed to Win

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By Monika Tjia The Tribune

Chewy, a 190-pound English mastiff, will travel to Florida this weekend to compete in a national dog show, where competition is bound to be 'ruff'

Chewy is known for jumping on the couch, knocking down objects off the living room table with his swift tail and digging his face in the mud.

But this weekend the 190-pound English mastiff will be trotting gracefully in front of a judge at the fifth annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Tampa, Fla.

Because when it's competition time, Chewy knows the drill.
"When he moves around, he flows. He's like a feather," said owner Cynthia Boe of Paso Robles. "He just takes you along."

The competition will be just one of about 150 shows that the 4-year-old dog -- his full name, borrowed from Star Wars, is Champion Erieside's Wookie Chewbacca -- will have entered in his career.

The AKC/Eukanuba is an invitation- only event. Chewy will compete in the confirmation portion of the event. The winner of confirmation, Boe said, represents the perfect breed.

The top 25 dogs in a breed and variety are invited to the show. It's considered to be one of the most prestigious shows in the nation among dog owners.

"It's not just some dog who has been shown once," said Felicia Cashin, vice president of the San Luis Obispo Kennel Club. "You have to earn your way."

Cashin owns three dogs -- they live outside the county -- competing at the event.

Unlike other dog shows, where just a ribbon and trophy are given, more than $225,000 in prize money will be distributed at the Eukanuba show.

Despite not participating in events across California every weekend, Chewy, like many show dogs, is highly ranked. He is No. 11 in his group in the nation, according to dog magazine The Canine Chronicle.
Loren Boe, Cynthia Boe's husband, will handle Chewy at the event Saturday. A quarter of the time that Chewy competes, he walks with a professional handler.

But for the Boe family, including 10-year-old son Ian, handling Chewy themselves is important because he's more than just a show dog -- he's part of the family.

Besides Chewy, the family owns four other mastiffs, two foxhounds and will soon buy two spinone Italiano dogs.

The Boes aren't shy when they say they want to nab the top prize this weekend, though they admit that it will be a tight competition.

Besides facing the top mastiff in the nation -- Champion Southports Sherman -- Chewy will be competing against his brother, Champion Erieside's Gothic Yes Jack.

And if Chewy reigns over his competition?

"I'll have a heart attack," Loren Boe said.

When Chewy retires in about a year, he'll have someone in his family to take his place. His son Luke is already being groomed to become a champion.

[PawNclaws]

I'm watchin it too, I havent missed it yet since we've been in Idaho . Me and my mom have hopes that Daisy will get up there and be able to compete in the Eukanuba and or Westminster Dog show. I always root for my breeds but I was excited to se Jeffrey compete in the Eukanuba and Westminster in 2004, he's a gorgeous Peke but Coco the Norwich Terrier(which is just GORGEOUS) took BIS. I have the Purina breed magazine and I read about Fame, which took BIS in 2003 at the Westminster. Last year was the gorgeous GSP, she was just amazing in the ring and the way she moved and free stacked, so freely and flawless. I'm excited to see this years BIS. I always have hopes for a Labrador to take it but I love all breeds and its just a joy to watch.

[Shalva]

Well if you ever get a chance to attend these shows with or without your dog, go its a wonderful time. We took our Meghan (flat coated retriever) to several of these Eukaneuba's and to Westminster when we were actively campaigning her and it is just so cool.... Westminster and the Garden is mayhem.... but to step out on that green carpet... its just amazing... and every year I wish I were back there..... Maybe Shalva will go next year.... we shall see.....
S