Karnataka - Bangalore   

Free dog handling classes in Bangalore

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Socialising: A participant with her pet dogs at the Bangalore Palace Grounds.

BANGALORE: Sunday was a day of socialising for dogs at the Bangalore Palace Grounds. The Bangalore Canine Club started its free handling classes on Saturday as a run-up to the 15th and 9th RRR All Breeds Championship Dog Shows to be held on December 8 and 9 at the same venue.

These classes will continue till December 2. Naveen O.C., committee member of the club said: “These classes help the dog owners understand what is expected of their dog and them in the competition. We do this every year before our dog shows.”

As each dog arrived at the venue, they were either greeted by a growl or a wag of the tail by those already present. The handlers then proceeded to stack their dogs. This involves teaching the dogs to stand both naturally and when placed in position without moving.

This was a test of patience for the handlers, for most dogs refused to keep more than two feet on the ground at a time. Stacking, as Mr. Naveen said, was required to view the conformity of the dog to the breed standard, one of the criteria of judgment in the competition. Another criterion for judgment was the movement of each dog.

The handlers swung into action, prodding their dogs into a slow run. Most owners said that they had brought their dogs to the venue to encourage them to meet and acknowledge the presence of other dogs. No matter how enormous or ferocious they looked, owners were quick to assert their dogs to be friendly and affectionate. There were seasoned participants among the dogs as well like handler Tanvi’s two-year-old Boxer, along with the camera shy ones like 10-month-old Ria, an Irish setter or even the ones who despised dog shows such as seven-year-old Sevton, a Greater Swiss mountain.

Different dogs with different personalities, that’s what one got to see among the many German shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Affenpinschers, Greater Swiss Mountains and Dachshunds present there.

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