Dogs contest for title at All India Dog Show

BANGALORE: Cute cuddly puppies, gigantic and ruffly St Bernards, Great Danes, Retrivers, St Bernards, Dobermanns, Setters, Wire haired Dachshund-- dogs of all shapes, sizes and colours stood proud on Sunday vying for the title of Champion.
Dog lovers and dogs thronged the veterinary college campus in Hebbal on Sunday for the All India Championship Dog Show of the legendary Mysore Kennel Club.
Over 380 dogs representing over 45 breeds participated in the day-long championship event. Labradors and German Shepherds, Boxers, Pointers and Pekingese, Dalmatians, Neapolitan Mastiffs strutted proud in front of judges who came from Singapore, Phillipines and Karnataka.
Karnataka''s pride, the Mudhol Hound, had a major presence at the show. Competition was in various categories like minor puppy, puppy, junior, intermediate, bred in India, foreign breeds and other such categories. There was also a special ''M'' category for those dogs who''ve already "been there done that" -- been champions earlier than is.
Dogs are judged on the basis of their temperament, gait, breed confirmation, the ability to follow commands, etc, said B C Ramakrishna, president of the Club.
The Club, one of the oldest in India, organised this Championship that is in its 81st year. The Club was set up by the Maharaja of Mysore way back in 1932.