Sandemac Kennel Club

Posted: Friday, April 30, 2010 12:01 am |

By SHEILA SMITH - H&R Staff Writer
DECATUR - A 20-month-old German wire-haired pointer, Mangum, had the hair around his toenails clipped, ears brushed back and hair sprayed to give his mane more shine for his debut at the Progress City Dog Show.
Mangum already has a title from another national dog show in Southern Illinois, said owner, Jim Boyd from Greenville.
Nearly 2,000 dogs took over Progress City USA near Richland Community College as they competed Thursday. The show continues through Sunday.
The Champaign Illinois Kennel Club hosted the event Thursday and will do so again Saturday; Sandemac Kennel Club will host the event today, and Mattoon Kennel Club will be the final day's host on Sunday.
Judges held nothing back when looking for the best dogs in the categories of sporting, nonsporting, hound, working, terrier, toy and herding dogs.
Boyd not only had Mangum competing in the sporting category but also his 4-year-old Dalmatian, Sienna.
A lot of work is involved in preparing dogs for competitions, he said, "It depends on the individual dog, and grooming them is the most time-consuming part."
Dog shows have been going on since the early 1940s in Decatur, said Sharon Collins, chairwoman of the Progress City Dog Show, who also is with the Sandemac Kennel Club. Macon, Sangamon and DeWitt counties are included in the club.
"It's an economic boost for Decatur, with people coming in and staying at hotels and eating at the restaurants," Collins said. "And it's a sporting event, not just for the animals, but humans who do this professionally."
"This is a way to give back to this sport, by supporting the dog shows," added Paula Henson, treasurer of the Champaign Kennel Club.
Ashley Schaffter, a professional dog handler from Dayton, Ohio, was competing with her 2-year-old Weimaraner named DC and 5-year-old, 180-pound wolfhound, Merlin.
She had DC prancing around in the grassy area before a judge, his legs spread out for a perfect stance and tale pointing straight out. Ranked No. 4 nationally, Merlin is an old pro and knew what to do.
And Merlin has an added gift: He knows how to spot the golden arches, because his favorite food is McDonald cheeseburgers.
"I wish I could program my Tom Tom GPS in my car to McDonalds. He will stick his head out the window when we pull up to the window in the drive-through," said Kim Schaffter, who helps her daughter Ashley handle the dogs.

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Additional Photos of the Dog show will be found in our photo album

AKC’S PET SHOP PRIME
 
AKC’s super-secret Puppy Registration & Inventory Management Extranet (PRIME) online pet shop software is “designed to add puppies to inventory, view puppy information, and sell and return puppies.”
 
When the Delegates rebelled against AKC’s contract with Petland in 2006, The Dog Press cautioned against complacency, predicting that a financial alliance between the American Kennel Club, pet shops and puppy mill was in fact, not off the table. READ MORE:

Handy Links                                                              

  DOG PRESS WEBSITE

Am. Dog Breeders Assoc *
American Kennel Club
Am. Rare Breed Assoc.
Nat. Canine Assoc.
United Kennel Club

* Make sure  you know the breed, it's power, it's exercise requirements, costs for food and vet bills before you invest in a dog. It is recommend that only experienced owners buy powerful breeds. If you are a 'softy' you may regret buying a dominate breed. Also if you live in an apartment the larger breeds in most cases do not do well if not exercised often to expend their energy needs can and will be come destructive or aggressive. Owning a dog is a wonderful experience if you and the dog you choose are a good 'match.' Please do yourself and your dog a great favor and research heavily and do a lot of soul searching to make sure you are ready for the life long commitment  of owning a dog. So many animals end up in shelters because people fall in love with the dog before considering the huge commitment. 

A very high energy sporting breed from Germany that gained attention when it was brought to the USA by President Eisnehower after WWII. 

The most famous weimaraners are those of photographer William Wegman. Wegman's weim's are posed in costumes, often shot in black and white in amusing situations. Wegman has published many books of his dogs over the years.

 

This is a very stubborn breed that is usually better with an experienced owner,  not a good first time dog. Read more on the fantastic Weimaraner by clicking here!