There were many tails wagging at the Tacoma Kennel Club dog show hosted in Graham, Washington this weekend. Hundreds of spectators, showers, and show dogs gathered together to see who was the best of the best.
Of the dozens of breeds showing, our favorite breed was represented by several different breeders. There we met Carrie Gemin and Ariel Gemin, perhaps two of the nicest ladies you will ever meet. They were open to letting us tag along as they prepared their chihuahuas for exhibit, letting us get a first hand look at what it’s like to show a chihuahua.
First, the dogs are groomed with a soft bristle brush that brings out the shine in their coats without damaging them. Then, a very light show lead is placed on the dog for showing. As most of you know, chihuahuas are prone to collapsing tracheas, so care has to be taken in where the show lead is placed to keep the dogs safe.
One of the puppies being shown, just 8-months old, was still a bit boisterous on the lead, so they had a special soft show lead with a wide lip that helps defuse any pressure the pup might place on the leash.
With their care and gear in order, the dogs were off to be shown!
To the dogs, being shown is the greatest thing in the world. Delicious treats such as roast chicken are given to the dogs in the ring. This is a special treat for them they only get while showing. They bounce with excitement while they wait for their turn and then hurry in to show the judges what they’ve got!
The dogs circle the ring, prancing merrily, and are then placed on a table to be evaluated by the judge. When the judge has looked at their teeth and felt their body, they are then put on the ground. The judge selects which chihuahua they felt had the best structure, and this one wins their type.
Chihuahuas have two types—long coat, and short coat. At the end, the winners of the different varieties are compared for best of Breed. The best of that breed can then compete for Best in Show.
Winning dogs receive points towards their titles. One of Carrie’s dogs, for example, is a grand champion. They earn these titles through great genetics, a lot of training, and a lot of treats too.
We will be sitting down with Ariel to discuss what it means to be a show handler and a lot more at a later date. We hope this article gave you a glimpse of what it’s like to handle chihuahuas in a show setting.
Special thanks to the Tacoma Kennel Club for all the help in the creation of this article. You’ll never meet kinder people than the people at this particular dog show.
Similar Posts:
- The History of the Chihuahua
- How to Adopt a Chihuahua
- Deer head vs. Apple head
- How To Brush a Short Haired Chihuahua
- Feature Rescue: Rosita’s Way Chihuahua Sanctuary
