Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: A three-daystarted at Government Boys High School ground in Unit I, here, Friday. The event, being organised by Orissa Kennel Club, has been held for the past 30 years and its patronage has been growing.
The first day featured ‘Specialty Show and Schutzhund Demo’ by German shepherd dog confederation-Kalinga chapter. About 100 dogs of the breed participated in the show. The canines were examined for health issues (bench and vet check) and their coordination and bonding with masters was tested through a battery of activities.
Helmut Koenig, a German expert on canines, was one of the judges at the event. Koenig told Orissa POST: “The dogs are judged on the basis of bone strength, expressions, coordination with their masters, energy levels and other international standards. We rank them as very promising, promising and less promising on the basis of the assessment.”
Subrat Prusti, the secretary of Orissa Kennel Club, said: “For the first time in the country, the Obedience and Agility Club, also part of the Orissa Kennel Club and affiliated to the Kennel Club of India, gave a demonstration of Schutzhund at the show.”
Schutzhund, a German term that means “protection dog”, refers to a dog sport developed in Germany in the early 1900s to test breed suitability for working dogs. The test would determine if the dog displayed the appropriate traits and characteristics of a proper working German shepherd. The agility, physical strength and courage of the dogs are tested as part of Schutzhund.
The Schutzhund display at the show demonstrated the capabilities of dogs in activities such as attacking an aggressive subject. The display by six schutzhunds brought from Hyderabad’s Commando Kennels attracted the attention of several visitors.
Filip Butt, a Schutzhund trainer, said: “Today we got to display certain capabilities of the dogs. Initially only German shepherds were trained as Schutzhund. But later other breeds of dog have also been trained in this fashion. Besides performing stunts, the dogs are trained in tracking, obedience and protection.”
On Saturday, a specialty show by Labrador retriever club-Kalinga chapter is to be held. On Sunday, at the golden jubilee of All Breeds Championship Dog Shows, about 326 dogs from across India are expected to take part.