coming to support the show from around
New Zealand, Australia and the globe,
Keith says.
“We’re selling Marlborough as a
destination, not only in wine but also the
Marlborough Sounds for things for people
to do; the majority of people are coming
for a weeks’ holiday.”
Dogs will be judged on agility, obedience
and conformation, with each category
hosted at a different location.
“We are going to bring to Marlborough a
concept that’s never been done before,
to hold the three events in one town, to
showcase everything that a dog can do.”
Agility requires dogs to navigate an
obstacle course without a leash or
incentives, competing for both time and
accuracy. Their owners are not allowed
to touch them or the obstacles.
Conformation is judged solely on the
appearance of the dog, judged on their
structure and appearance in accordance
to what is considered optimal for the
breed.
Obedience measures how well dogs
respond to various commands as set out
in the show’s obedience requirements.
Each dog is judged on its understanding
and ability to respond to commands such
as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’.
Keith has been breeding dogs since he
was a teenager, and in more recent years
has spent many weekends travelling the
world to judge international dog shows.
“My parents bred dogs, a breed called
Pekingese and I ventured out into
American Cockers in my late teens.
I’ve also bred Miniature Schnauzers,
and shown Afghan Hounds and Giant
Schnauzers and several other breeds
to become one of the most foremost
kennels in New Zealand history, I’ve bred
or owned over 40 grand champions,”
Keith says.
“I’ve bred multiple champions not only
here but around the world.”
A lot of work goes into breeding
champion dogs, and the show is a
chance for the public to gain an insight
into that work, and the rewards that
come with it, Keith says.
“It takes many years of skill to learn
how to breed and show dogs, so the
public will have the opportunity to meet
and greet those dogs and look at the
insight into how to breed those dogs …
Showing and breeding dogs is not for
the faint-hearted.”
As well as the day to day training of
show dogs, several health and wellbeing
requirements need to be met and
maintained for every dog, Keith says.
He believes the show is a good
demonstration of the types of things
people can achieve while bonding with
their dogs.
“People can do things with their pet
rather than leaving it in the backyard,”
he says.
The show will run from Wednesday,
October 2 until Saturday October 5
and is open to the public at a cost of
$25 per family of four and $12 per
individual entry. And $6.00 per child
The black tie finale and judging event
at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000
is also open to the public at a cost of
$10 per person and will include live
entertainment and a light show.
Starting time for this event is 6pm.
Also an all breeds show will be held
on the final day on 6 October at club
grounds in Omaka.
Tickets will be sold at the door for
each event.