6,000 Canines Compete for Titles at Show

From the Norwegian elkhound to the Rhodesian ridge back, 6,000 canines barked and pranced as their owners preened and strutted at the Ventura Fairgrounds this weekend.

Owners traveled from all over the West for the three-day event, which was sponsored by the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Assn. and the Channel City and Santa Maria kennel clubs.

Tom Stoner and his wife, Monica, came from West Covina with their three Salukis--representatives of a breed, which, over 50 centuries, has come to resemble a greyhound with long, shaggy ears.

The Stoners take their dogs--Kyllan, Pixie and Chunk--seriously. The couple met at a dog show and honeymooned at another. Now they travel across the country in the quest for titles, running their dogs around rings for judges who are on a first-name basis with the world’s top Salukis.

“We don’t go dancing; this is our social event,” said Monica, who relishes meeting old pals on the dog-show circuit. “And some of my best friends have dogs I can’t stand. Finally, I’ve been able to separate dogs from their owners.”

For some, that can be a task.

The show’s chairman, Bill Dumas, said owners of a particular breed often gravitate toward each other, like the owners of the 89 competing bulldogs who camped out in a row of 18 motor homes, creating a giant weekend-long tailgate party.

“Bulldog people are probably the happiest you’ll ever meet,” said Dumas. “They’re very laid-back and exciting people to be around. Each breed has its own characteristics, and their owners do too.”

But those who think a dog show is all tailgate camaraderie are barking up the wrong tree. During the event, the mood is doggedly serious for owners and judges demanding the most from the canines.

“I look at over 100 points within the structure of the dog,” said judge Daniel Wheatcroft, whose specialty was Shetland sheepdogs. “It’s like having to be an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist. I look at the skeletal structure, how the bones are put together, and then the fine detail points like skulls, ears and eyes.”

So much for fancy, blow-dried hair and a dog that can heel.

Even though the judges are looking for qualities neither animal nor owner can control, it doesn’t stop the handlers from using a few tricks. Dumas parted with one: Place the collar over the top of the head instead of low around the neck to make sure the ears stay propped up.

“It gives a better profile. You want to do whatever you can to present the dog to his utmost and give the best view to the judge,” he said.

“You don’t want a scraggly dog. This is a beauty contest, too.”