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Walter Passarella/ Metroland Durham region media Group This year's edition of the annual Championship Dog Show and Obedience Trials, held recently in Orono, hosted about 250 entrants in the confirmation portion of the show. Above: Audrey Tendant takes shelter in her van with 'Good Shepherd Tia,' her chihuahua who was entered in the competition. They're from the Peterborough Peterborough area. Above right: Carol Hyatt poses with her Bichon Frise, 'Pixie' and Heather Wippler's 'Afi.' Bottom Bottom right: Tom Cooper of Ottawa guides his Great Dane 'Cooper' at the confirmation part of the dog show. Ivan Price keeps 'Billy,' his Italian Greyhound, warm in the folds of his coat. Ontario County Kennel Club hosts show and obedience trials BY BLAKE WOLFE Special to the Statesman ; ORONO -- Not a bad dog was to be found at the Orono Fairgrounds last week as hundreds participated in the - Ontario County Kennel Club's annual Championship Dog Shows and Obedience Obedience Trials. This year's show featured more thaï) 250 dogs in the confirmation portion of the. show, with approximately 50 dogs competing for first place in the obedience obedience category. There was also a Puppy and Veterans Sweepstakes, in which newcomers and seasoned champs squared off in their respective categories. "After age seven, a dog's show years are over," said Heather Langfield, club ' president and tournament judge. "It can still be pretty competitive, though." Ms. Langfield's involvement with dogs ' spans more than 30 years, which she spent showing Afghan hounds at various tournaments. According to Ms. Langfield, this year's competition featured more toy breeds than in past years, with the smaller dogs outnumbering larger favourites such as golden retrievers and labradors. "There's a trend towards small breeds these days," she • said. "They're more popular in our mobile society - they're easier to stuff into a carrier (than a larger dog)." : ' For dog owners competing in tournaments tournaments such as these, the training process can range from simply getting their fourlegged fourlegged friends used to handling of the head and mouth (such as in the confirmation confirmation competition, which judges a dog's adherence to breed standards), to a rigorous rigorous series of obedience programs which can take months to prepare both dog and owner as tournament-worthy entrants. "Confirmation is about what a dog looks like and how it moves," Ms. Langfield Langfield said. "If it's supposed to be a Wes- tie, does it look like a Westie?" "Obedience is more intense," she said. "It can require several different classes, Register early for Continuing Education courses at www.durhamcollege.ca/coned Watch for your copy of the Continuing Education Fall 2006 . calendar coming in your local newspaper August 20. For more information call 905.721.3052 or 1.880.627.1191 1 ■ Our library is packed with great photos just waiting to be framed and mounted. If you see a photo in the Metroland Community Newspapers of Durham Region that you wish to purchase, you can order a re-print ora digital image by calling (905) 579-4400. El ic Cminbian &tfltr0num over four to five months of solid training. training. The dog has to heel, sit and stay, that kind of thing." "If you've got a smart dog," Ms. Langfield Langfield said, "you might enter an obedience competition and be able to pass with only three or four months of training." The "open dog" portion of the obedience obedience competition, which involved dogs left alone in'the ring, off-leash, to either follow a scent or remain still without without a handler present, can take years of training to prepare a dog for that level of. competition. Coincidentally, Ms. Langfield said that there are more dogs entered into this division of obedience competitions than.in the lower, novice levels. The Ontario County Kennel Club, which-has been in existence since 1949, held its first confirmation show in 1951. For more information, visit the show's website at http://www.ockc.org/show. htm. SUPREME HOMESTYLE BEEFBURGERS Hearty, mildly seasoned beef burgers that taste just like homemade. 8x150g/5.3oz A favourite of the young ami the young-at-heait, chicken breast meot is felly cooked and breaded, restaurant style. Ihey'regreatonabuiior all oit their own Serve with AISAI Honey Mustard Sauce. Fiels removed. Heat end serve. 8 Portions Choose from Original, Spicy or Crispy. 907 g/2 lb See our ad in FRIDA Y'S paper for more SPECIALS BOWMANVILLE 133 King», e. 697-1202 OSHAWA 1347 King St. E. at Townline 571-7701 11 Taunton Rd. W. at Simcoe 434-4633 WHITBY 3500 Brock St. North 668-3439 1801 Dundas St. E. 436-3066 (Kendalwood Plaza) NEWCASTLE 36i King Ave. 987-5877 www.mmmeatshops.com