High standard of show dogs impresses judges
POLICE Park was transformed into a sea of gazebos containing the best examples of 52 dog breeds in South Africa this weekend for the 107th Kusa East London All Breed Championship Show.
The grounds were arranged into rings where canines competed in seven categories – working, herding, terriers, hounds, gun dogs, toy dogs and utility dogs, and entrants took turns to be led around the ring by their handlers before being judged on confirmation (physical appearance) and movement.
Gazebos were awash with beagles, bassets, bull mastiffs and Belgian shepherds which were brushed to perfection ahead of their turn in the ring, where six judges from all over South Africa assessed which ones best represented the attributes of their breed.
“The turnout has been of the highest quality and we have seen excellent ambassadors of their breeds. We usually hold this show at St James Pearce Park and it is the first time we are at Police Park,” said co-organiser Ronnie Herselman of the East London Kennel Club.
Durbanite Mark Anderson was thrilled when his friendly Siberian husky, Glen, trotted off with a first prize medal in the working dogs category on Saturday.
“I bought Glen in Moscow and he is a perfect gentleman. I have been doing dog shows for 38 years and used to breed German shepherds and border collies, but then I fell in love with Siberian huskies.”
Ria Steyn, also of Durban, said showing her strapping bull mastiff Balto was a passion and that she attended about 15 shows a year.
“Balto is the top bull mastiff in South Africa and for a bull mastiff he is very light on his feet. He is a beautiful mover and totally in proportion for his breed.”
For terrier groomer Olga Williams, of Johannesburg, showing her compact welsh terrier Krashik was an opportunity to see him and other terriers she had groomed putting their best paws forward.
“I like it when a dog groomed by me wins,” she said.
Young Stutterheim dog handler Tremaine Vorster, 14, said she had set her sights on one day competing at the world’s largest dog show, Crufts, in the UK.
Immaculately dressed in a nipped-in jacket and with not a hair out of place, Vorster showed off her blue merle Australian shepherd dodger to perfection.
KwaZulu-Natal afghan owner Jos Kroese, whose gracious red black mask afghan, Zuki, won the hound group, said the show was always well-organised.
“I first came here two years ago and they give a lot of goodies to dogs and people.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za