Weekend Goes to the Dogs
More than 1,000 dogs representing 135 breeds will gather this weekend at Seaside Park in Ventura for a two-day meet hosted by the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Assn.
It’s too late to enter a dog in the event, but there will be plenty of competition to watch Saturday and Sunday and a host of literature, videos and experts to answer questions about breeds.
Show chairman Bill Dumas said the event helps the public learn about their animals and see firsthand what competition is like. It’s also helpful for children and families who want to study what kind of dog they might like as a pet.
“It’s a great way to learn about dogs,” Dumas said. “We get a lot of schoolkids who come, 4-H groups and dog owners. It’s free to the public and it’s fun.”
The association, which started more than 75 years ago and is one of the oldest members of the American Kennel Club, has hosted two shows a year at the Ventura County Fairgrounds at Seaside Park for more than two decades, Dumas said.
This weekend’s event is the smaller of the two. A show in July runs four days and attracts more than 2,000 dogs from throughout the country.
The show this weekend will include dogs from Southern California, Nevada and Arizona, although one competitor will travel from Alaska for the event.
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, there will be two specialty competitions, one for Samoyeds, large white dogs with thick coats, and one for collies, Dumas said.
The events are confirmations, which means the dogs are essentially competing in a beauty contest.
Two judges licensed by the American Kennel Club will study the dogs for bone structure, coat texture and temperament, along with other standards a dog must meet to be considered for one of several titles, including the grand prize for “Best of Show.”
*
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, more than 900 dogs of any breed, including bulldogs, Shetland sheep dogs and poodles, will compete. There will be heats among each breed, and the winners of that judging will compete for a “Best of Show” trophy.
“A lot of people come to see the different breeds,” Dumas said. “Most people don’t realize how many different types there are.”
In addition to the competition, there will be vendors hawking everything from fancy dog food to leashes to T-shirts promoting dog agility. There will also be arts and crafts as well as food and beverages.
Educational literature about dogs will be available in English and Spanish. For those interested in learning about different types of dogs, experts will be on hand to answer questions about each breed and what it takes to get a dog ready for competition.
“If you want to see a particular dog, we can bring it up on video,” Dumas said.
For those interested in learning more about the county dog association, log onto the group’s Web site at www.jbradshaw.com. The association has about 80 members, many of whom meet once a month for lectures by veterinarians, search and rescue teams or dog experts. Information on entering shows is also available online.
DETAILS
The Ventura County Dog Fanciers Assn. show will be held Saturday and Sunday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Parking is $1, and admission is free. More information is available at www.jbradshaw.com.
Tip of the Week: For those who want to see a little less prancing and a lot more action, head to Ventura Harbor Village all day Saturday or Sunday for the Happy Dog Agility USDAA Trial. The event, sanctioned by the United States Dog Agility Assn., will include dog owners guiding their pets through an obstacle course. Dogs will race against the clock as they jump hurdles, scale ramps, run through tunnels, traverse a seesaw and weave through poles. Dogs are judged on speed, accuracy and how well they negotiate the course. For more details, go to www.dogpatch.org/agility/.
Another Tip of the Week: If seeing all the dogs makes you want one of your own, consider adopting one from the Humane League of Ventura, which hosts dog and puppy adoptions from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, including this weekend. The adoption center is behind Pet Barn at 3004 Telegraph Road, and more information can be obtained by calling 652-1001.
Ideas for Jaunts can be forwarded to holly.wolcott@latimes.com.
