Megan Mojica
Staff Writer
Almost 2,000 dogs from 207 eligible breeds and varieties competed this past weekend at the Kennel Club of Beverly Hills Dog Show at the Fairplex in Pomona.
Expo halls were filled with over 100 guests, who were at grooming stations, in competing rings, and shopping outdoors at dog-related vendors that sold items like collars, leashes, treats, and clothes.
The event brought out participants and their beloved dogs from across the United States and even across the globe. There were dogs of all breeds ranging from large Great Danes to smaller Cocker Spaniels.
Participants competed in categories like breed standard, best of breed, best in show, and many more.
It was apparent competitors put a lot of time and love into their dogs, which creates a special bond between them.
Competitor Christine Paul, said competing has been valuable to her connections with her dogs.
“It creates a bond,” Paul said. “I mean we’re traveling together, staying at hotels together, it’s our little time together.”
Dog shows can not only build up the relationship between a dog and their owner, but it can also be a great activity for families.
Competitor Lily Bedowitz said she is third generation in competing, with her mother and grandmother being handlers who got her and her younger sister into the business.
Competitor Stacy Henderson said competing is a family activity for her.
“My whole family does participate in it,” Henderson said. “Definitely need a friend or a family member to kinda get you in the sport of competing.”
For Henderson competing has strengthened her relationship with her dogs.
“Definitely have an appreciation and love for specific breeds when you’re showing in confirmation,” Henderson said. “And you really give it your all and they give it right back.”
Henderson competed in categories including juniors, confirmation, bred by, and open black-and-white spotted with her two female Dalmatian sisters, Classy and Clementine. On Saturday, they placed first in juniors, second in bred by, and third in open.
The hard work competitors put into these shows can be both fulfilling and rewarding.
Bedowitz competed in categories like bred by, 12 to 18, best of variety, and more. She said working with her Wire Haired Dachshund on their show presentation resulted in success for the pair.
“It’s about her second show out and honestly I couldn’t have asked her to do any better,” Bedowitz said. “She showed like a rock star and won four out of six times we showed.”
Paul also saw success with her Shih Tzu Sersi by winning Best of Breed, which she said made it worth a six hour drive.
The success in shows comes from preparation done for the event, which is not easy. Owners spend hours a day all year long training their dogs, grooming them, and making sure their structure is up to breed standards.
Bedowitz said additionally the set up at a dog show is time consuming.
“You have to pack up everything,” said Bedowitz. “Within that you have to get it here, unpack it all and then at the end of the week you have to pack it all up and then put it into your car.”
Besides all the logistics behind the event many attendees were present simply for their love of dogs.
“It’s always fun with these, playing with the dogs as your job,” said Bedowtiz.
Event workers Randi Halbmaier and Ariel Rubio said some of their favorite dogs to see at the event are Golden Retrievers and Pomeraninans.
They also said the event had been going pretty well and had a bigger turnout than they had expected.
“This is supposed to be one of the smaller dog shows but it’s pretty busy honestly,” said Rubio.
The event was taped by NBC and will be aired on a later date that is to be announced.
Megan Mojica can be reached at megan.mojica@laverne.edu.
Megan Mojica, a junior broadcast journalism major, is a staff writer for the Campus Times.
Jashelle Ranson, a junior photography major and business administration minor, is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
