Chicagoist at the 2011 IKC Dog Show (Part 2 of 2)
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 1, 2011 7:00PM
Story by Kim Bellware and Kevin Robinson
As a benched competition, the absolute highlight of the International Kennel Club of Chicago show is getting up close to the dogs and handlers. Owners shared anecdotes from competitions ("my dachshund won't pee when she's nervous at a show, but when she gets home she'll pee ten times!"), lifestyle accommodations and tidbits that indicated these people, without a doubt, live and breathe their dogs.
An owner of a trio of English Mastiffs explained that to keep dogs like hers, one needs "a big bed, a big truck, a big couch and preferably someplace with with wide hallways." This owner, like many others at the show, was eager to answer our questions about the various standards for her dog's particular breed, helping to go a little ways toward demystifying the traits, form and function a dog that makes it an ideal specimen of a breed. The American Kennel Club breaks down standards for each of the recognized breeds on its site, with this link for English Mastiffs covering the specifics of each standard (including general appearance, size, proposition, topline, body and temperament).
Owners were also keen to share info that was decidedly more political than grooming and housing habits. Mixed in with information on breeders and clubs, we spotted a few signs on tables and at "campsites" encouraging individuals interested in helping animals to support local shelters instead of groups like PETA and The Humane Society of the United States. Some breeders allege that most money received by these groups goes to organizational salaries, pensions and lobbyists while those same groups, particularly PETA, have a history of discouraging purebreed ownership in favor of mutts and rescue animals.
Special attention was also directed toward issues that affect specific breeds, such as abandonment and abuse with greyhounds or the "Deed Not Breed" initiative that supports non-discriminatory laws governing the ownership of dogs (in particular "fighting" breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. Illinois, for example, has prohibited Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL), though there are townships across the state like Lombard and Buffalo Grove that have enacted local ordinances regulating or outright banning certain breeds.
As passionate as owners and breeders were about some of the weightier issues surrounding dog breeding and ownership, everyone we spoke with was interested first and foremost in educating the public on how to treat animals well and incorporate them successfully into one's home and lifestyle. We found the participants in this year's IKC Chicago show to be enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and still able to enjoy the show despite the pressures of competition.
Understandably, there are probably few events that combine the special blend of intensity and dog-specific intrigue quite like Chicago's IKC show. While groomers had their shears and trimmers serviced at the various sharpening outlets, owners milled about browsing an eye-popping collection of dog-themed jewelry (for humans and dogs), dog-themed clothing (again, for both humans and dogs) and home-made organic treats whose selection rivaled that of most bakeries. This diversity and enthusiasm is no doubt what has made Chicago's show one of the largest in the country; we;re already looking forward to returning next year with the city's dog lovers to pet a few more pups and hopefully spot a new winner in the ring.
Chicagoist will provide a complete list of the IKC Chicago Show winners, including "Best In Show," once it becomes available online.