Owners try out dog-showing at Kennel Club's summer match
Dog owners had the opportunity to have a go at showing at the Guernsey Kennel Club’s summer match recently.
The club holds several matches across the year.
‘We have matches at Beau Sejour in February, May, September and October,’ said organiser Louise Simmons.
‘In between those we do fun matches, which are very fun and relaxed, very informal matches.’
The club used the summer fun match as a trial for people who might be interested in competing in dog shows.
‘It is a chance for the general public who have pedigree dogs to try it out and encourage new people to join,’ said Mrs Simmons.
‘A lot of people travel to dog shows with the ultimate goal of Crufts, which everyone wants to compete at.’
The warm weather made it a challenge for owners.
‘The weather definitely makes it more challenging for us. We have gazebos up and some owners have cool coats on their dog which you soak in water and helps keep the dogs cool,’ said Mrs Simmons.
The match was judged by Ann Robert, who was returning to the island from Australia. She there from from Guernsey eight years ago and was back to see family.
‘It’s been pretty good, the quality of the dogs is very good,’ she said.
‘I used to show here and it’s nice to be back.’
Mrs Simmons’ daughter Katelin, 16, won first prize for junior handling on Sunday.
‘I love it, it’s in my blood,’ she said.
‘I went to my first dog show at three weeks old between two crates and started handling at four-and-a-half.’
Katelin said that showing is about showing the control handlers have over the dogs.
‘You need to show the dog and that you have control over it,’ she said.
‘The most important thing is that all dogs are home dogs first rather than show dogs, so if the dog doesn’t want to show we won’t.’
