Tails wag with delight at dog show

 Timaru's Gleniti Park went to the dogs during the weekend _ about 300 of them.

It was all part of the South Canterbury Dog Training Club's 50th dog show, with competitors from as far as Invercargill and Nelson bringing their furry companions to see just which dog was the best.

Club president Jo Wakefield said the weekend's show had been a runaway success, with competitors and spectators all giving positive feedback.

``It's been absolutely brilliant, it's a great success. The people and the organisations have been wonderful with their support.''

She said an added bonus was celebrating the milestone the club had reached. It was one of only four dog training clubs in the country to have hit 50.

But while the weekend was mainly positive Ms Wakefield said one downside was a number of entries having to be scratched due to dogs falling ill with the kennel cough virus, a highly contagious respiratory disorder.

The disease can be caused by several different viruses or bacteria and can develop into pneumonia if untreated. It is characterised by a dry cough lasting from days to even weeks.

Although neither participants nor organisers let that spoil the weekend.

``There's a huge variety (of dogs), it's just amazing.''

And while occasionally it was the dogs running their owners around the course that was all part of the fun, according to Debbie Tuuta and Karen Duncan-Caley.

The pair were down from Christchurch to take part in the event and said shows at Timaru are always a highlight.

``The Timaru show weekend is always a good weekend,'' Mrs Duncan-Caley said.

Dog shows have been part of her life for 15 years, with Mrs Tuuta chalking up 23 years of dog circuits. It might seem a long time, but their love of dog events hasn't wavered at all.

Both said a strong love of dogs keeps them going, even though there may be the odd frustrating time such as another dog wandering into a ring when an event is on.

But even the small hiccups can be rewarding when they are over-come, Mrs Tuuta said.

It comes from the months, even years of work each competitor can put into getting ready for shows, Ms Wakefield said.

And while putting a dog through its paces might look easy, she said it is harder than it looks.

``It looks very simple when you're outside (the ring).''

- © Fairfax NZ News