Not a dog’s life, these canines live life king size

Tribune News Service

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Patiala, February 7

Despite three deaths and rising dog bite cases in Punjab due to the stray dog menace, canine lovers from across the state celebrated the annual ritual of holding a dog show. The show is organised every year for the past over two decades.

The Patiala Kennel Club organised its 46th and 47th All-breed Championship Dog Shows on Sunday at Raja Bhalendra Singh Stadium (Polo Grounds) here. Around 251 dogs of 42 breed took part in the shows.

Points were based in the categories of “dog of the year”, “reserve dog of the year”, “best puppy of the year” and “best bred in India dog of the year”.

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee from Kolkata and Mukul Vaid, both very prominent international judges, judged the shows.

Despite stray dog scare haunting residents of the adjoining areas and villages of Patiala following the rise in dog bite cases, canine lovers from over 10 states took part in “The All-Breed Championship Dog Shows” held under the aegis of the Patiala Kennel Club today.

What amused everyone was the fact that the local residents spent almost nine hours at a stretch at the Polo Ground despite the fact that 6,573 dog bite cases have been reported in the district in the past a few years - Rajindra Hospital 2,899 and civil dispensaries 3,674.

“I saw dogs of almost six breeds today, which I had never seen before. It was very interesting to know from the owners of these dogs about how they spend time in training and feeding their dogs,” said Sunpreet Singh, a canine lover. “Though there was a drizzle in the morning and there was a chill in the air, the enthusiasm seen among the gathering was something that astonished me,” he said.

“I am passionate about dogs. I have read a lot about stray dog menace. I feel that dog shows are a perfect way to show that all canines should not be hated. Instead of hating dogs altogether, the government needs to check the rising stray dog menace,” said Karan Sandhu, a participant who has 16 dogs.

Exhibitors from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Guwahati, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, J&K and other parts of the country took part in the show.

A large number of dogs of different breeds such as Labrador (26), Rottweiler (30), German Shepherd (30), Pug (13), Doberman (13), were seen during the shows. Dogs of some breeds such as Samoyed came for the first time in the show. Breeds like Poodle Toy, Poodle Standard, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Spaniel American Cocker, Cocker Spaniel English, Shih Tzu, Cane Corso came after a long time in the show.

Dog show

A large number of dogs of different breeds such as Labrador (26), Rottweiler (30), German Shepherd (30), Pug (13), Doberman (13), were seen during the shows. Dogs of some breeds such as Samoyed came for the first time in the show. Breeds like Poodle Toy, Poodle Standard, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Spaniel American Cocker, Cocker Spaniel English, Shih Tzu, Cane Corso came after a long time in the show.