IRISH WOLFHOUND SOCIETY OF IRELAND

First FCI International Championship Dog Show gets under way

Special Correspondent First FCI International Championship Dog Show gets under way
ShihTzu Fabulous Star romps home with the `Best in Show' crown

SHOWING OFF: A handler takes a German Shepherd on a lap around the show ring at the finals of the First FCI International Dog Show in Chennai on Saturday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan


CHENNAI: It was the day of the ShihTzu at the first FCI International Championship Dog Show on Saturday, with Fabulous Star, a typical member of the Peking-originated breed, romping home with the `Best in Show' crown.

This is the first international dog show held in Chennai, conducted by the Kennel Club of India. Canines had come from countries as far as Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil and USA, some of them accompanied by their handlers.

Superb specimens
On show were superbly bred specimens of breeds such as the Dachshund Smooth Hair, Dachshund Standard Wire, Afghan Hound, Caravan Hound, Chippiparai, Combai, Irish Wolfhound, Rajapalayam, Saluki, Whippet, German Shepherd, Welsh Corgi, Basset Hound, Beagle, Dalmatian, English Fox Hound, English and American Cocker Spaniels, Irish Red Setter, various terriers, Tibetan Mastiff, Schnauzer, Siberian Husky, Rottweiler, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Bull Dog, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Pomeranian, Chihuahua and Pug.

The second `Best in Show' award went to Bugalugs, an American Cocker Spaniel.

Labour of love
For judge Luis Pinto Teixeira, it was a labour of love and professional challenge, as the handlers took the dogs through the motions, and each participant was tested for agility and movement.
A Kerry Blue Terrier, German Shepherd, Dachshund Wire Haired, Doberman Pinscher, Irish Setter and Basset Hound won the runner-up awards, while no canine won the `Best in Show Bred in India' award.

The show ends on Sunday, with the second FCI International Dog Show and the Madras Canine Club's 75th Championship Dog Show at the University Union Ground, Chetpet.