All-breed c’ship sees footfall of 264 bow-wows

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 17

It was a dog’s day out. Canines of various breeds, including local, came together at the 54th and 55th All Breed Championship and Dog Show, organised by the Patiala Kernel Club at Raja Bhalendra Singh Stadium, here today. 

As many as 264 dogs of 41 breeds participated in the show. The exhibitors, who participated in the dog show, came all the way from Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Princely city of Patiala has an old tradition of its love for dogs. It was in this part of the country that first kernel club, Northern India Kernel, was formed, which later changed into Indian Kennel Association in 1896. 

Only two Indians – Maharajas of Patiala and Jind – had been the vice-presidents of the Indian Kennel Association, presently known as The Kennel Club of India, while Lord Minto and Lord Irwin were its presidents.

International judges Shinichi Sonoda from Japan and Yogesh Tuteja from Amritsar judged the show on a variety of parameters, including body structure, coat and also movements of dogs in the ring.

A large number of German Shepherds (36), Labradors (22) Pugs (12), Golden Retrievers (20) and Beagles (18) participated in the show. 

Rhodesine Ridgeback, Douge Debordeaux, Cane Corso, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Akita, Samoyed and Dogo Argentino were the main attraction of the dog show.

A beautiful souvenir for the show was also released on the occasion.

The general secretary, Patiala Kernel Club, GP Singh Brar said, “These shows provide an opportunity to watch exotic breeds of dogs. Spectators were amazed to see some rare breeds in the show.”

What history says

There are only two Indians – Maharajas of Patiala and Jind – who were vice-presidents of the Indian Kennel Association, presently known as The Kennel Club of India, while Lord Minto and Lord Irwin were its presidents.