For the dogs

Evangeline Kennel Club Dog Show in Berwick all about canine competition and having fun

They’re in it to win it but at the end of the day competitors at the Evangeline Kennel Club Dog Show have a lot of fun – as do their beloved canines.

The Kings Mutual Century Centre in Berwick recently hosted the annual event and club director Sheila Smith said there were four shows, two over two days (at the end of June).

Alistair Sutherland of Arnprior, Ontario, brought his four-year-old Grand Champion Excellent Gordon Setter, Player, to the show. Sutherland, the vice-president of the Gordon Setter Club of Canada, said Player is currently number one of his breed in the country, the number-four sporting dog and number-15 of all breeds. Player, who was born in Australia, is also a Master Hunter and holds several other titles.

Sutherland said he’s been showing Player since the dog was 11 months old. They’ve travelled all over Ontario and Quebec but the Evangeline Kennel Club show was their first in the Maritimes.

“He’s quite an accomplished dog,” Sutherland said at the competition. “We’ve had an excellent weekend at Evangeline Kennel Club, he’s been the Best Sporting Dog at three shows so far and we have one this afternoon as well, so we’re hopeful and aiming for a Best in Show again.”

In fact, Player went on to win two Best of Show titles on June 25. Sutherland said he’s been showing dogs for a long time, having gotten his first Gordon Setter in 1974. He said he’s primarily a breeder and it’s important to him to keep the breed alive.

He said the competition is perhaps the most rewarding element for him. Sutherland likes a “versatile dog” that not only does shows but also fieldwork and obedience.

Sutherland said that because Player is shown so frequently, he could probably get him ready in about two hours. However, if he were to let Player’s hair grow out, it would probably take about 30 hours of grooming.

He said Player would rather be in a field hunting birds but competing in shows is a close second best.

“Player lives to show,” Sutherland said. “I just have to look at the car or touch any of my show equipment and he’s jumping and spinning and ready for his next adventure.”

At the level of competition where they now are, Sutherland said they have to compete every weekend. It takes three or four days out of their week to remain competitive and there is significant cost involved. One challenge is competing against professional handlers.

Sutherland plans to bring Player back to Nova Scotia for an upcoming show in Cape Breton.

Along with friend and dog enthusiast Kim Condy of Halifax, Sharon Ayers of Middle Sackville brought her dogs, including her three-month-old Talisker Shetland Sheepdog, Beatrice, to compete.

Ayers, who has been showing dogs for 25 years, said she loves the competition but training dogs is her true passion. Going to shows helps with their training and it’s a fun hobby to share with her dogs. She’s in it to win but doesn’t get too overwhelmed by the importance of taking home a ribbon. Her dogs are her pets first and foremost.

“Inevitably, it’s not winning is everything but, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to win the game, and it really is a game,” Ayers said.

There is a significant financial commitment involved and she considers it a lifestyle requiring great dedication. It’s also a way to help educate the public about purebred dog ownership. She said she still learns something new from every experience.

She said she’s had some great dogs over the years but if they don’t seem to enjoy competing, they don’t have to do it.

Ayers said she enjoys the social aspect of interacting with other dog owners and their pets, as a group of them will often get together to talk and enjoy a meal after a show.