Show dogs take over Coniston arena

More than 200 purebred dogs and their owners gathered at the Toe Blake Memorial Arena in Coniston for what has become a major stop in the North American dog show circuit.

Around ninety breeds competed to win the coveted best in show honour at the Nickel District Kennel Club’s annual show.

Dog breeders and owners from across Canada and the United States competed at the 23-year-old contest to determine which dogs are most representative of their respective breeds.

“We’re on the championship circuit for people that travel around weekend after weekend, like gypsies, and attend dog shows,” said Richard Paquette, the show chairman.

Dog breeders tour the continent to earn championship points so they can qualify for the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in New York, and share the stage with the best show dogs in North America.

Earlier this year, Paquette’s Shih Tzu Panda made the top seven at Westminster, representing the toy dogs group.

The more than 190 breeds recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club are separated in seven groups, including toy dogs, sporting dogs, terriers, hounds and working dogs.

On Sunday, the winners from each of the seven groups competed for best in show.

The winner was a Havanese dog named Riki.

“I just fell in love with these little guys,” said Riki’s co-owner and breeder Norman Fargo, from Barrie. “They’re a big dog in a little body.”

Riki was the top Havanese dog in Canada last year, and came in fourth place for the toy dog group.