The memory of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City was fresh on the minds of members of the Canyonlands Kennel Club when they turned out at the Davis County Fairgrounds in Farmington recently for their own show.
"This is our chance to show UKC [United Kennel Club] what we can do, that we are qualified to host sanctioned shows. If they are satisfied with what we do here, they will license us to host future shows," said Canyonlands President and Founder Ray Hanson of Clearfield.
Although the American Kennel Club [AKC] may be a name more familiar, many breeders, owners and handlers at this show say that AKC has become too harshly competitive for their tastes.
"Owners and breeders hire professional handlers to show their dogs in ACK events. At UKC, the owner has to show his or her own dog," Hanson says. The UKC is the older of the two organizations.
The general consensus at Canyonlands' recent show was that the UKC policy of owner-handlers makes UKC shows a family affair. "Even kids participate as junior handlers from the age of about 5," says Laurie Justensen, a show participant.
At UKC summer shows around the country, families circle the RV's and have fun together. At AKC shows, on the other hand, participants are more formal and might even glare at one another when they cross paths outside the show. Once inside, they might even ignore each other, Hanson says.
Justensen says she prefers the UKC shows. "I've been showing since I was 6 years old. When other girls were going to dance class or art lessons, I was working or showing a dog," she says.
Many of the adult participants in the three-event, 15-breed show said they
grew up with dogs. Hanson's wife, Joyce, says she remembers her youth in England and going to buy a puppy while she was still in a stroller. "I still vividly remember going home in that stroller with a puppy on my lap," Joyce Hanson says.
UKC representative Sandi Drake says that she's impressed with the quality of the dogs entered in the Canyonlands show.
Drake, who was UKC's first full-time, professional representative to local clubs, attended the show to evaluate the club's ability to host a show, see how the rules are applied, and see that the judging is done properly.
And the winners are . . .
Saturday Morning Show
Best in Show
Laurie Justensen, Clinton, Majestic Just Tough Enough, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Reserve Best in Show
Judy Lehman, Enterprise, Jacob's Glory B of Asgards, a Toy Fox Terrier
Saturday Afternoon Show
Best in Show
Joyce Lea-Hanson, Clearfield, CH Nicknak's High Cabilar, a Yorkshire Terrier
Reserve Best in Show
Stephanie Myers, Brigham City, Grd. Ch Whisper Moon Takeyr Best Shot, a Rat Terrier
Sunday Show
Best in Show
Fred Hirsch, Centerville, BIS Grd. CH Windrift's Red Vader, a Keeshund
Reserve Best in Show
Debra Mascaro, Riverton , CH Masskip's Tucker Me Out, a Schipperke
http://www.sltrib.com/davis/ci_3558889