Doggone It! ... Pets get primped for Lubbock show
by Hilary McNamara, co-news editor

The Lubbock Memorial Civic Center recently felt like Noah’s Ark for dogs. Two by two, they walked, and even sometimes five by five, from small to tall, furry to bald, fat to skinny.

This was quite a feast for the eyes. As the adventure began, it was all business and a little intimidating.

The Lubbock Dog Show was held on Sept. 28-Oct. 1.  Reasons for participating in the show and the sizes of the handlers all varied. One woman who shows West Highland Terriers explained that she shows dogs because “It’s a way to get out of the house” and she likes the competition. Others, such as the Hockett family, show dogs because it is a family hobby.  Then you have some who are there for the “social event and the friends” aspect of it.  Tyler Hockett said he likes showing because it is fun, and he gets to go to shows all over.

Dog shows are not all a walk through the park.  The handlers say some aspects they do not like were the politics, early mornings and long days involved.  Another downside is the hours upon hours that it takes to get ready for a show and how time- consuming it is to get ready to travel with as many as 20 dogs.

Tyler Hockett is a 10-year old boy from Canyon.  He is also quite the little showman, having placed first in group four in breed and juniors. He owns a greyhound named Dash, which is the dog he won the title with.  The Hocketts make showing dogs a family hobby. Tyler’s mom and brothers all go on the road, traveling to dog shows everywhere. Greyhounds are not their only dogs, though. They also show Standard Poodles and Giant Schnauzers.

Kathy Beliew owns and handles the number one Chow in the United States, Champion Image I Love Jazz.  Not only is she a handler, but she also is a breeder and a judge. She jokingly says that her favorite part of dog handling is the “ego trip.”  Beliew’s other job is directed toward the kennel and breeding business she and her husband George Beliew run.

For all their hard work, the Beliews are being honored with the award of Top Non-Breeders in the U.S. This is a big accomplishment, and they will accept the honor at the Eukanuba Classic, the biggest dog show of the year.

Although the handlers and dogs are a big part of the show, one cannot forget about the judges.  Linda Scanlon has been judging about 28 years, focusing her attention on the hounds and herding breeds. But the dog that is her personal favorite is a Saluki.

When judging, Scanlon must know the standard written description of that breed, and then make her decision based upon which dogs most closely move and act like that. Scanlon judges all over the world. She said one of her most memorable judging trips was the one she recently took to Finland.  

Scanlon said that judging is a hard job, and that she is probably gone “35 weekends out of the year.” But she added that was OK, because judging is what she loves to do.

The dog show ended each day with a new winner ready to star all over again the next day.