Paws and poise: Dogs steal the show in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: The Karavali Utsava grounds came alive with wagging tails and cheerful barks as dog lovers flocked to the venue for a vibrant dog show organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat and the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services.Dogs of various breeds captivated visitors with their confident gait, playful antics and striking appearances. Demonstrations highlighting obedience, agility and bonding drew loud cheers, while children were particularly delighted to see pets dressed in colourful costumes, including hair clips.Among the star attractions was Hunter, a 13-month-old Great Dane that travelled from Hassan. Owner Raghavendra, who runs the Hasanamba Kennel, also arrived with a boxer and Rottweiler. He said Hunter already earned the champion title after winning at the Kennel Club of India (KCI) show in Nov last year.Three-year-old Viyoni Ishi, accompanied by her mother Sneha from Someshwara, attended the show with Maggi, a Shih Tzu. Another participant from Kotekar Beeri arrived with Gucci, also a Shih Tzu. Sisters Ashwini and Akshatha participated with Bablu, a Pomeranian, and Sonu, a Shih Tzu. Dr Divya Damodar returned to the show for the second consecutive year with Kaju, her mixed Shih Apso breed dog. She said her 2.9-year-old pet won a prize in the mixed-breed category at last year's event.For Asmitha and Brahmanand Kandlur from Car Street, who arrived with their Chow Chow named Tasha, the event provided an opportunity for their pet to socialise. Sanag Acharya was among the few participants showcasing a local breed and arrived with Cheethu, a one-year-old desi dog.Bharath Prasad from Jeppu brought his Caravan Hound Shasha to the show. "I want Shasha to get familiar with such events, which will help in future competitions," he said.Meanwhile, Raju drew attention with four Chow Chow dogs - Romeo, Ria, Rosy and Ruby. He said the breed, despite requiring cooler weather due to its long coat, is well-suited for apartment living.Arun Kumar Shetty, deputy director of the department of animal husbandry and veterinary services, said 230 dogs from 29 breeds were registered for the event. He noted that space constraints at Kadri Park last year prompted organisers to shift the show to the Karavali Utsava grounds this time. "An elevated stage was set up to ensure better visibility for spectators," he said. The competition was held for three to six months, six to 12 months, and breed-wise for above 12 months. The overall champion received a cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with a trophy.
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