Date:20/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/20/stories/2008102058440300.htm

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Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A show to encourage dog owners

Staff Reporter

‘Hycan Dog Sport Show 08’ was well received by dog lovers

The look-alike competition drew a huge crowd
Programmes like relay race for dogs were held

— PHOTOs: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Say cheese: A look-alike contestant at the ‘Hycan Dog Sport Show 08’ on Sunday (Right) Two girls pose with their pet pomeranian.

HYDERABAD: Doggie spirits soared at the Wesley Junior College grounds on Sunday with dogs of various breeds and sizes mingling with each other, sniffing at each other’s noses and tails. While some canines excitedly wagged their tails upon sighting members of their clan, a few barked making their presence felt while others turned moody. The occasion was the ‘Hycan Dog Sport Show 08’ organised by Hyderabad Canine Club.

Organisers described the event as “first of its kind in India” with owner trained and not professionally-trained dogs participating. “This is a local show for encouraging dog owners like you and me,” said John Webb, Managing Director of Mars International India Private Limited that manufactures Pedigree dog food.

The place was abuzz with not just dog owners but also dog lovers sans pets trooping in to witness various canines participate in a variety of events like doggy trick competition, dog and owner look-alike competition, obedience prize, discover your dog and a special dog’s quiz for school children.

Children and adults enthusiastically participated by encouraging, petting and clicking snaps of the competing dogs as their proud owners looked on.

The look-alike competition drew a huge crowd with some in the crowd having a hearty laugh at the creative skills of the dog-owners. While two boys wore white shirts with huge black dots to resemble their Dalmatians’, girls were decked with flapping ears to resemble their dogs’ ears.

A few sported hairstyles, to make their pony-tails appear as dog’s ears while a kid tried dressing up his doggie like Spiderman! Ultimately, it was a Rajyapalayan, an Indian breed decked up like a fairy that walked away winner in the look-alike category. Special programmes like relay race for dogs, fire attack, double attack and fly ball were also performed by professionally trained dogs.

The show was inaugurated by a Belgian breed Bichon Frise.