Puppies Vie to Be Top Dog at Breed Show

While it didn’t exactly rain cats and dogs outside Sunday, plenty of the latter could be found inside at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Assn. All Breed Dog Show.

Cool rain showers kept attendance light at the second Southern California dog show of the year, which is the equivalent of a debutante ball for canine competitors.

“It’s kind of a debut of the new dogs,” said Bill Bergum, show chairman. “Who knows, maybe the dog that wins best of show here may be the top dog in the country in a couple of years.”

About 1,000 dogs representing 110 breeds from throughout the state took part. Neither as large nor as intense as the fairground’s summer shows, the event instead exudes the same sort of casual, youthful exuberance as its participants.

“They’re like teenagers--they’re still feeling their oats,” Bergum said of the pups on parade.

Gwenneth Mosdale of San Bernardino understands these teenagers’ unpredictability. Her 17-month-old standard poodle, Kingsdown Lethal Weapon--or “Willis,” as he is called outside the show ring--decided to leap six feet into the air while being judged. Willis’ problem is that he doesn’t concentrate, Mosdale said.

“Everyone laughs at him and the more they laugh, he thinks he’s a clown,” she said. “I’ve got high hopes for him--when he gets his brain together.”

Show secretary Betty Burnell of Ventura entered her 8-month-old harrier hound, Seaview Sweet Sugar Pine, in an effort to get valuable show experience.

“She didn’t embarrass me, but she needs some work,” Burnell said. “She needs some maturity.”

Seaview Sweet Sugar Pine will have plenty of opportunities. There are at least four dog shows scheduled for Ventura this summer--including, for the first time ever on the West Coast, the National Agility Championships, July 5-7.