Canine competition

By Christy Marsters

Dog lovers and breeders connected at a competition hosted October 17 and 18 by the Canine Association of Nova Scotia (CANS).

President Marie-France Prayal, president of CANS, says the two-day event at the Windsor Exhibition Grounds featured 140 exhibitors. More than 60 breed, from Chihuahuas to Irish Wolfhounds, were represented.

Four international judges - Christine Lafay, France, Miroslav Zidar, Slovenia, Luis Oliveira and Vitor Veiga, Portugal – judged four all-breed shows over the weekend. At the end of Sunday, Prayal says, “ these four judges had to agree to find the best of the best from this weekend.”

Diane Ham, alongside her two-year-old Bouvier des Flandres dog, Ch. Stonepillar’s Polar Ice, Ham and her dog won the title of best of the best. Ham and Ice also won three of the weekend’s four Best in Show honours.

Her chief opponent, winner of one Best in Show, was an English Setter named Desert’s Electrified, owned by Erin LeBlanc.

Ham says she was very interested in what the European judges noted about her European breed of dog. “We received real nice (written) critiques,” the Vaughn resident says. “(My dog) is big and powerful. Plus, he has good temperament.”

It takes work to compete in about 50 shows a year in different parts of the world, but Ham says it is worth all the bathing, grooming and training this dog on the treadmill. “He’s strong but he’s a gentle giant … and the best part is he’s succeeding.”

There were other successful dogs over the weekend. Ch. Royeljoker’s Tiger on the Loose, an Irish Wolfhound, owned by Juanita MacLeod and handled by Alan MacLeod, won Reserve Best in Show. Stonepillars Steel Blu, a Bouvier des Flandres owned by Bruce and Diane Ham, won Best Puppy in Show. Monet Du Domine De Polana, a Coton De Tulear owned by Lynne MacLellan, won Best Puppy in Specialty.

For the love of dogs

Mark Grant, vice-president of CANS, says the main reason people come to dog shows is simply an interest in dogs. “It is always a pleasure to welcome all of the visitors from the local community to watch these events,” Grant says. “To watch or to ask questions or to take pictures. It’s an event to enjoy pure breed dogs, while teaching about responsible dog ownership.” “It’s a gentlemen’s sport for promoting dogs,” he adds. “We make it very comfortable and easy, with zero pressure. We make people welcomed.”

Mal Swann says the CANS show was one of the best organized and operated shows he has attended. The Ellershouse resident attends seven local shows a year with his Irish Wolfhound, Rohan. “ I think the four international judges were impressed with our east coast hospitality,” he says. “The reason I attend these shows is simply because this is something to do with my dog,” Swann adds. “He’s spends time with me and I’m spending time with him and he listens because I ask. He is just a great dog; an awesome companion. I enjoy him.”

This event was run with support of the Canine Federation of Canada -- under Federal Cynologique International rulings. CANS plans to return to Windsor next year.