More than 300 dogs, from Yorkshire terriers to Afghan hounds, were led by their owners and handlers around the outdoor rings of Legion Stadium during the Hanover Kennel Club dog show last weekend, Oct. 10-11.
Wilmington has hosted the bi-annual shows since the club’s formation in the 1930s. More than 80 dog breeds competed in 10 groups: best in show, sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding, miscellaneous and junior show.
Jeremiah Partain ran his Berger Picard dog, Ichih, around the rink for the herding division round on Sunday after the dog won Best in Breed on Saturday.
Jeremiah’s mother and sister, Mickey and Emily, cheered him on from the sidelines, along with another one of their Berger Picards, Junie B. The family breeds dogs at their residence in Star, North Carolina.
“They’re water dogs. They like to go kayaking with us,” Emily Partain said.
Mickey Partain’s love of Berger Picard dogs inspired her to import Ichih from Canada. However, her passion for dog shows and dog breeding are more about her enthusiasm for the breed rather than making a profit.
“The prices of our puppies have to be negotiable because it can’t be all about money. It’s about finding the best homes for the dogs,” she said.
Chelsea, a 5-year-old Old English sheepdog, also competed in the herding division.
“She likes to do agility competitions and she has four AKC [American Kennel Club] herding titles,” said Grace Caplan, who owns Chelsea with her husband, Jim.
The Caplans have been showing dogs for 25 years and they compete in at least 50 dog shows a year. They are challenged by keeping Chelsea’s long, thick coat in near-perfect condition for her frequent competitions.
“We brush her once per week,” Grace Caplan said.
Chelsea won first place in her breed’s group and in the herding group.
Handler Suzy Fox showed Bianca, a German shorthaired pointer owned by Deborah Burgess. Bianca won first place in her breed, but didn’t place in the sporting group.
“She needs 15 points to be an AKC champion. She’s only five points away now,” she said.
Bianca won two points during Saturday’s show.
On Sunday, Sharon Abmeyer and Keith Bailey’s Welsh terrier won best in show and in the terrier group. Kim Riggins’ Labrador retriever won the sporting group. Shirley Ray’s wirehaired dachshund took first in the hound group. Stephanie Blades’ Great Dane won the working group. Kristy and Kevin Ratliff’s pug took first in the toy group.
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