Mangaluru: Dogs are said to be humans’ best pain healers and it was evident on Sunday as thousands flocked to the Nehru Maidan on Sunday to relieve themselves from the pressure of the mundane chores at the national level dog show organised by the Karavali Canine Club.
As many as 185 canines belonging to 31 breeds had arrived from across the country. Akita, Maltis and Dog de Bourdux were some of the rarest breeds that were featured in the competition held in eight categories. While Akita has its roots in Japan, Maltis is originally a breed from Thailand and the Bourdux has its origins in Germany. Rajapalyam from Tamil Nadu and Mudhol Hound from Karnataka were the two Indian breeds that participated.
One of the highlights of the show was a Basset Hound. Originally named Quantas Napoca after its birth in the distant Romania, he was rechristened as Zane after its owner Sujith Kurian brought the canine to his home in Kerala. “It took us around 70 days to get Zane from Romania to Kerala,” said Hari Kumar, one of the caretakers and friends of Kurian. “Zane was flown from Romania to Russia, then to Thailand, then Nepal and finally to India so that he got used to the weather,” Kumar told.
Zane, who is now 18 months old and weighs 30kg, feasts on dry food twice a day and supplements on a regular basis.
Rudi, one of the few Great Danes in the show, was driven from Pune in a luxurious SUV. Rudi is one lucky canine as he is the hands of Gauri Nargolkar, who has so far participated in 46 Indian champions, three American champions and one Canadian champion.
Two-year-old Rudi too feeds on dry food twice a day and currently weighs 80kg.
Some of the other breeds that were the cynosure of all eyes were the ever popular German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniels, Dobermanns and the Pugs.
Prasad Aithal, secretary, Karavali Canine Club – which organised the show for the sixth year here – said dog shows conducted in the last five years here have improved the quality and quantity of breeds in and around the city. The show also intends to help and guide people interested in breeding ethical quality dogs, he said.