Big ones, fluffy ones, small ones, and fancy ones - the dogs are out and they’ll be putting on a show at a big Nanaimo Kennel Club event at Arbutus Meadows Equestrian Facility through June 16.
The crowd includes a few national champions.
One of those champions is Romeo the boxer. At almost four years old, he’s one of the top 10 dogs of all breeds in all of Canada. He recently picked up his 33rd and 34th Best of Show awards at the Comox Valley Kennel Club’s show in Black Creek.
He was born and bred in Burns, Ore., and now resides in Langley, with his co-owner Michelle .
Romeo keeps Yeadon busy. They’ve just come back from two months of showing across the United States. After this, they’ll be headed to Merritt, then to Vernon, Surrey and then off to Alberta.
When Romeo’s not strutting his stuff in the ring, he likes to relax at home.
“He’s a couch potato. He barks, and jumps… he loves girls, a lot. So, typical man,” said Yeadon with a laugh.
He’s also a father.
“He just had his first litter, so he has a little daughter out there,” said Yeadon. “He’s a good dog. Sweet dog. Boxers are fabulous with children. They’re a great breed.”
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‘Diplomat Stuck in the Middle’ is one of the poodles competing this weekend. She’s known as ‘Stuck’ for short.
Tempest Deeptuch of Duncan is her owner, breeder, and handler. Stuck comes from a long line of poodles - Deeptuch owned her mother as well as her grandmother, and currently looks after four poodles. She’s been taking care of poodles for 47 years, since she was a teenager.
Deeptuch says that Stuck’s greatest quality is that “she thinks she’s all that, and a bit more!”
To Stuck’s credit, she comes by it honestly.
“We used to say her mom thought she was Marilyn Monroe,” said Deeptuch. “Stuck likes when people clap - that’s big for her. She’s a bit lazy, because she prefers people just look at her, then her have to do too much.”
Grooming one poodle can be an all-day affair.
To bathe, dry and clip a poodle takes about four hours. The pre-show grooming takes about three - and then after the show, they’re re-bathed again.
When Stuck isn’t getting groomed to show off, she likes to play soccer at home.
“She has her own soccer ball at home. Twice a day - we’ve got four acres - she goes out and plays soccer. She’s treated like an everyday normal dog during the week,” said Deeptuch.
Saturday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. there will be a ‘Parade of Breeds,’ where interested folks can watch and learn about dozens of dogs as they parade around the ring.
There will also be a meet and greet at the end for those interested in a hands-on dog experience!
The show is free, and there is a $3 charge for parking. For more information, visit www.nanaimokennelclub.ca/
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