CORTEZ – Nearly 330 well-prepped canines are competing this weekend for Best of Show at the Durango Kennel Club’s annual three-day event at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
“Dog shows are all about love of the dog,” said Ginger Jenks, who brought her samoyeds to show.
Jenks said having a local show allows locals to meet old friends and competitors while being able “to sleep in their own beds.” Breeders, owners and handlers come from all over the country to compete in the shows.
“I’ve been coming to this show for a long time,” said Kent Dannen of Estes Park. He brought his family of Samoyeds, which includes Hymn Singer’s Viking Song and Sing Glorious Things of Thee R Spoken.
Like thoroughbred racehorses, the dogs have official show names such as Kayenta’s Once Upon A Time and Rowdy Rusty Red Rebel of Glo-Mar, plus their common names.
Dog shows have become quite popular. The downside, said DKC Vice President Kristen Corbitt, is that there are dog shows nearly every weekend.
In fact, the DKC’s shows have been getting somewhat smaller in recent years, partly because of the weaker economy and larger and longer shows, such as those in Albuquerque and Abilene, Texas, Corbitt said.
Corbitt, who also was chairman of the show Friday and Saturday, said the annual event runs under the auspices of the American Kennel Club, which sets strict rules and guidelines for shows.
The costs for running the show are paid by the club, which raises money through a variety of means, including member dues, show fees and special events, such as a herding clinic June 22-23 in Marvel, and a two-day owner-dog communication seminar, also June 22-23, in Durango.
This ICE Relationship Clinic (instinct, connection and enjoyment), helps owners communicate with their dogs to eliminate negative behaviors such as hyperactivity, anxiousness, fearfulness and aggressiveness.
For information about either clinic, email sdavis.5@netzero.net or call 799-3860.
rgalin@durangoherald.com
