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Alberta and Canada club Labrador Retriever dog shows coming to Lakedell

Dogs from across Canada set to compete
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It is time hold their heads high, wag their tails hard, and put their best paw forward.

Over the course of three days the Lakedell Agricultural Complex will host the Labrador Retriever Club of Alberta Regional Specialty Shows as well as the Labrador Retriever Club of Canada Inc 2017 Regional Specialty Show.

The Alberta Club’s two shows takes place Aug. 25 and 26, with the Canadian Club’s Regional Specialty showing on Aug. 27.

Labrador Retriever Club of Alberta vice president Sandi Bell says this will be the third year Lakedell has housed the shows. “We’ve had it at Lakedell and we’ve been successful.”

“We have 52 conformation Labradors coming to the show,” she added.

Bell says most of the competitors come from the Alberta Club, however, others will be attending from British Columbia, Winnipeg and the Prince Edward Island. The club’s next goal is to attract show dogs from the United States of America for some international competition.

Each of the three shows is open to the public; Aug. 25 starts at 12:30 p.m, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. and Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. “It will continue until all the dogs have been shown,” said Bell.

“We start with the babies in the morning and move to best of breed … That’s as high as you can go,” she added.

Puppies can start showing at six months and compete in six to nine month, nine to 12 month and 12 to 18 month age categories. From there the dogs move into the open class, and if enough points are accumulated the animals compete with other best of breed champions. There are also veteran and exhibition only classes.

Judges will arrive from British Columbia, California and Oregon, to inspect several different aspects of the canines.

“It’s the conformation of the dog, and the first thing they look at is structure,” said Bell. “Then you look at the skull of the head and you want a really nice width.”

Judges also take into account the dogs’s eyes and nose coloring, temperament, and the tail and coat.

“Movement is very important. The judges are looking that the dogs are floating. You don’t want a cumbersome dog,” said Bell.

The show will move forward rain or shine and is held under the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club.

In honour of Canada 150 the Labrador Retriever Club of Canada Inc Regional Specialty is encouraging people to dress in red Aug. 27.

amelia.naismith@pipestoneflyer.ca