Evangeline Kennel Club expecting more competition at this year’s Berwick shows
Anna Boudreau and Havanese CKC Grand Ch. Lossombra’s Little Cover Girl CGN, PCD - a.k.a. “Smudge” - at a past Evangeline Kennel Club dog show.
breed that keeps most people involved. Evangeline is a very small club, with about 10 current members. However, dog owners come from near and far to compete at the club’s shows.
They’ve had people come from as far away as Alberta and Ontario. There are professional handlers who sometimes bring dogs from the United States or Europe to compete.
“The original reason for having dog shows that started 150 or 200 years ago was to figure out what are the best specimens of the breed for breeding purposes,” said Smith.
She said there isn’t much difference today in that people are trying to ensure that their dogs are being bred to certain standards. Physically speaking, the dogs should be able to do what they’re bred for.
“Therefore they have to have what’s called confirmation, the right body structure, the right attitude,” Smith said.
She said the judges are very well trained and have to know what is expected in relation to every breed. Shows are threetiered: Owners hope that their dog is named Best in Breed, then Best in Group and finally Best in Show.
Smith said that many people don’t realize that the EKC, which has been in existence since 1956, also provides dog obedience training classes for all breeds. The next round of classes begins in the fall.