Eight-year-old Treonna Coleman broke her toe playing soccer Friday night, but that didn't stop her from attending the 48th Annual Lompoc Valley Kennel Club All-Breed Dogs Shows Saturday at Ryon Park.
"I always watch them at home on TV and I wanted to see a dog show in person," said the young dog-lover, who attended the event with her siblings and parents.
The Coleman family, of Lompoc, walked the track, circling the judging rings and passing canine-related vendors.
They stopped short at the
impressive sight of an Irish wolfhound.
There were more than 40 of the large dogs, which were originally bred centuries ago to guard castles and chase down wolves and elk. The first mention of the breed was in 390 A.D., according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Pat and her husband, Bruce Pearson, brought their 2-year-old, 145-lb wolfhound, Jill, up from Fraser Park in Southern California to compete in the dog show.
Wolfhounds almost died out in the mid-19th century, so they bred them with mastiffs, Scottish deerhounds and Great Danes to increase the dogs'
size, said Pat Pearson, whose been breeding wolfhounds for
16 years.
The Torres family of Lompoc have attended the veritable canine parade for nearly five years.
"We're just dog dreaming," said J.J. Torres as a Chihuahua trotted past importantly.
Ryon Park was filled with
man's best friends: There were schnauzers and greyhounds and spaniels and pinschers; setters and corgis and sheepdogs and pointers; bulldogs and beagles and dachshunds and huskies. Then there were large dogs and small dogs, with long hair and short hair, big barks and small yaps.
"Most owners pick the breed they blend with the best, with the same personality and activity level," said Don Bongers, of Orange County, as he relaxed in the shade with two Chinese Shar-Peis.
"Shar-Peis are stoic and stand-offish. They like to sit in the corner and take everything in, which fits perfectly with me," he added.
With skin that wrinkles and rolls like a scrunched sock and its permanent scowl, the Shar-Pei was thought to have a face that would scare off evil spirits, according to the AKC.
"A bad day showing is better than the best day working," said Bongers, who said that every minute spent with the dogs training or grooming is "a labor of love."
Brooke Walker, of Costa Mesa, agreed, and said that grooming her black-and-silver miniature schnauzers often puts her into a calming, meditative state.
"I really love my breed. They're fancy, elegant, eye-catching, smart and loving," Walker said, while stroking the mustachioed dog on her lap.
Many of the competitors were charmed by Lompoc and the city's hospitality.
"I didn't expect much, but this little town is beautiful," said Walker, who was visiting for the first time.
"It's a neat little town," Pat Pearson said.
There were good feelings all around.
Lompoc resident Breeana Dixson, who brought her daughter Cloi and nephew Syrie, both 3 years old, said the visitors kept the park clean and managed the dogs well.
"Everyone has been really friendly and good about explaining to the children how to handle the dogs, which is nice because they're so young."
The four-footed event continues today beginning at 8 a.m., with the 49th Annual Lompoc Valley Kennel Club All-Breed Dogs Shows. Judging continues all day as the breeds compete for Best in Show.
July 26, 2009
