Annual kennel show draws 578 competitors, continues today

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The Herald-Dispatch

By Antwon Pinkston

HUNTINGTON -- Linda Montgomery watched carefully as the obedience competition got under way Saturday morning at the 79th annual Huntington Kennel Club Dog show.

She and her German shorthaired pointer, Blueberry, had driven five and a half hours from her home in Mount Crawford, Va., to compete in the event, in hopes of adding "champion" to his name.


"These type of dogs are known as 'bird dogs,' so they're not popular for obedience competitions, but that's what makes him special," she said.

Montgomery was just one of hundreds of dog owners who gathered at Veterans Memorial Field House for a chance to strut their stuff.

"This is not just a show anymore, it's definitely a sport," said Mark Handloser who is director of the Huntington Kennel Club Committee. "This whole competition is about whether or not a dog is suitable for its breeding standard."

A total of 578 dogs competed, representing 105 different breeds or varieties.

According to the judging committee, dogs are not competing against other, but competing against a standard for each breed.

At shows, whether for one breed or many, dogs are competing for one to five points, which advances a dog toward the coveted title of champion. It takes 15 points, including two major wins (three, four or five points), awarded by at least three different judges at separate shows to earn a championship. Dogs are judged against their breed's standard. Standards describe the ideal size, color and temperament of each breed, as well as proportion, structure and movement.

To make sure the animals looked their best, owners and breeders were busy painting their dogs' toenails, jogging, shampooing and combing their hair. Handlers were pacing up and down the walkway anxiously waiting to see competition results for their dog as well as others so they could tally up their point totals.

Handloser and his wife, Sylvia, president of the Huntington Kennel Club, have been involved in dog shows for 25 years, owning 26 dogs.

"People travel from all over to collect more points for their dogs in competitions, or judge just for breeding purposes," Sylvia said.

However, that's not all they come for, said Montgomery.

"It's fun because you get to meet a lot of other dogs and their owners," she said. "I love exchanging e-mails, phone numbers and even training tips."

Three-year-old Rocco, a golden retriever, and his owner Anne Pittman, both nodded their head in agreement with Montgomery.

Pittman and Rocco have been by each other's side for 20 dog shows.

While getting fluffed up in the back area of the Field House waiting to enter the ring, Rocco stood completely still in silence.

"He's concentrating," Pittman said. "I love this particular breed and others who had the same really influenced me to start doing shows."

Like Montgomery, Pittman said it is a competitive sport but also fun at the same time.

"I'm addicted to doing shows now," she said. "But whether we win or lose, it's fun and I always take something I learned away from the competition."