These dogs get to have their day

COLIN SMITH/Nelson Mail

SHAGGY DOG STORY: Upper Moutere bergamasco dog breeder Neil MacNeil, left, with Isabella and dog handler Michael Baskett-Barnes with Enzo prepare for the Nelson District Kennel Association championship dog show in Richmond this morning.

It's a big day for Isabella and Enzo, a pair of uncommon pooches entering their first-ever championship dog show today.

The bouncy dogs are among the 100 breeds entered in this weekend's Nelson District Kennel Association Centenary Celebration Championship show.

The bergamasco sheepdogs are the first breeding pair of their type to be brought to New Zealand and their owner, Neil MacNeil, hopes their unique characteristics will see them take home a trophy or two.

The pair were bathed, groomed and taught to walk around the ring in preparation for the show, which has attracted 500 dogs from all over New Zealand.

Mr MacNeil said he liked the breed because they were hypoallergenic and didn't moult. His wife was "allergic to everything". The dogs' coat mats naturally and eventually grows into long dreadlocks.

He came across the breed while living in Switzerland and brought them to New Zealand 2 1/2 years ago.

"There were none in the southern hemisphere at the time; they were the first ones. They are one of the oldest breeds in the world.

"We can't walk down Motueka's High St without being stopped 100 times."

The dogs each weigh more than 30 kilograms and are not "massively" active during the day but love their evening stroll, Mr MacNeil said.

Nelson District Kennel Association president Claire Trevelyan said she was looking forward to the event, which was a "major milestone" for the association and its biggest dog show in recent years. The event is made up of three championship dog shows.

Tomorrow will also feature a 56-strong puppy stakes competition and the New Zealand Young Kennel Club breed-handling stakes.

The show is being held at the Nelson District Kennel Association grounds, next to Richmond's A&P showgrounds, until 7.30pm today and from 8.30am to 3pm tomorrow. The public can attend free.

alicec@nelsonmail.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News