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Outlook golden for dog show
| Wednesday, Mar 28 2007 6:05 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Mar 28 2007 6:11 PM
By 8 a.m. on Saturday, Marjorie Blake will be ringside at the Kern County Fairgrounds, ready to show the first of her four golden retrievers.
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Marjorie Blake and some of her award-winning golden retrievers, at home in southwest Bakersfield
Based on his previous triumphs, Blake's 2-year-old champion Summit will be one of the final goldens to take his turn around the ring.
Of all the dogs she has raised over the years, Blake says Summit may be her best.
For Blake, it will be her 25th year showing dogs, including annual trips to New York for the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. For 2-year-old Summit, the show will be another step toward a possible No. 1 national rating in the special class reserved for champion dogs.
Summit, his siblings and 2,000 other canines on their best behavior take center stage at the annual All Breed Dog Show & Obedience Trials put on by the Kern County Kennel Club.
"Essentially it's an all-breed dog show," said Blake, who will also show Baker, her chocolate Labrador retriever.
Judges will squint, prod and pat over 170 breeds, from Chihuahua to German shepherd, in seven canine classes including working, herders and sporting (the class in which golden retrievers compete).
They will pick winning dogs based on confirmation, balance and drive -- subjective terms for how a dog looks and moves in the ring.
The competition will produce best-of-breed winners, and a best of show.
"This is a wonderful family occasion. Especially if they're thinking about purchasing a dog, they can see all the breeds and speak to breeders. It's a fun, fun, family show," said Blake, the public relations manager for the show.
This weekend's event is actually two dog shows running concurrently on Saturday and Sunday.
The American Kennel Club allows local chapters to put on two shows per year. Because the shows are labor intensive to put on, the Kern County Kennel Club runs their two shows back to back in the spring.
One of the popular attractions at the show is the flyball competition, where dogs will be timed on how fast they can run down a lane, press a lever that sends a tennis ball into the air, catch the ball and return to starting position.
Although one might guess a retriever would have an advantage with tennis balls, any breed can do well at this event, and the dogs are categorized by size, Blake said.
In addition to the dogs, the show includes vendors who will offer all manner of canine goods, from leashes, to grooming tables, to specialty foods and treats. And a few T-shirts for dogs' owners.
On Friday, dog owners will be in the final stages of show prep. Bathing and trimming come first.
"I'm looking for conditioning, and to avoid a dry coat. It gives a good-looking luster," Blake said about her routine.
On the day of the show, Blake will wet down her dogs' coats and blow them dry for a clean, smooth look. The dogs don't eat until after the show, to keep them from being lethargic. Finally, minding the fast-paced show schedule is important.
No one wants to risk a best-in-show score by being late to the ring and irritating the judge.
All Breed Dog Show & Obedience Trials
• Gates open at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 S. P St., Bakersfield
• $4; seniors $3; under 10, free; parking $2
Info: www.kerncountykennelclubinc.com