By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Oodles of poodles, pugs, pinschers, and other dog breeds descended upon the Crawford County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday for the 38th annual Crawford County Kennel Club Dog Show.
While the dog days are typically reserved for the late summer, on a cool spring day, one could argue that the dog days in Crawford County occurred this past weekend for the annual dog show.
Crawford County Kennel Club President Dan Smith spoke about some of the newer breeds that were being shown at the show.
“Fairly new is the Spanish Water Dog, they just have been accepted by the AKC a few years back,” Smith said. “The Pumi, which is another new breed, so we do have some of the brand-new breeds and we are fortunate that we have a lot of top ranked dogs here this year, which is good.”
Placing second in the Hound Group with his black-haired Tan Coonhound named Crow, Bob Urban, who has shown dogs for 35 years, spoke about what he enjoys most about exhibiting at dog shows.
“We enjoy the dogs and as time goes on we get to enjoy the camaraderie of the fellow exhibitor that become family to you and people that we all know and see every week,” Urban said. “It is a mix of that, but the breeding of the dogs is what puts it all together.”
Preparing his poodle Jimmy Targa the Conqueror for his bout in the ring in the Non-Sporting category, Joseph Vergneti explained what goes into preparing Jimmy for a dog show.
“It takes about between 8 to 10 hours to get him ready depending on if he is gone every weekend. It is a lot between the bathing, the drying, and the clipping,” Verneti said. “He’s really, really gorgeous.”
Jimmy vanquished his opponents on his way to his 20th championship. Vergneti, who has bred 325 champions, as well as earned breeder of the year on three occasions, spoke about what it feels like being crowned champion.
“It is wonderful. It is nice because there are so many other dogs that can beat you too, it is endless,” Vergneti explained. “It is satisfying for the dog, and that is what you come for is recognition of your beautiful dog, and when someone else thinks it is beautiful that is the wonderful thing.”
While the dog show is in its 38th year, the early days of the show were more spread out across the fairgrounds.
“We are thankful for the Camp Millard AG and Expo Building; it has helped immensely,” Smith said. “We used to spread out across the fair grounds. I think with getting it consolidated it has helped the spectators as well as the exhibitors from running all over the fairgrounds.”
Competing in a two-day show, Smith noted that with new judges on the second day, the Crawford County Kennel Club’s second day of their dog show is like a different one than from the day before.
Smith reported the final results of the two day dog show with the Best in Show going to the Samoyed with the Standard Poodle taking Reserve. On Sunday the Whippet was awarded as Best in Show with the Standard Poodle grabbing Reserve Best in Show.