Some 1,200 dogs and their owners took part. For many of them their dogs were also a major source of income, so, apart from the competition, the exhibit was meant to detect the best breeds for commercial purposes.
Becoming a dog-breeder is not a problem these days. Often a breeding farm can consist of a single dog, although to make such a family business legal, one has to get it registered with the Kennel Association of Ukraine, observe the rules, and pay the fees on time. For example, the admittance fee of a dog show like the one in Kyiv is about $15.00, although the organizing committee says the sooner you apply the less you pay. Registration deadline is a month prior to show date, so they have the time to print a catalog. KAU currently operates some 150 regional offices with a membership of almost 300,000. In 12 years since inception KAU has proved its viability, professionalism, and prestige. They describe their organization as a “link in the chain of civilized dog-breeding,” and that their performance is graphic evidence of the “European approach” to dogs as an important component of the human habitat.
Getting back to the show, the dog-owners fought for prizes with gallantry and zeal, for the winner automatically became a candidate world champion, meaning going straight for the international exhibit staged by the International Kennel Association, uniting dog-breeders in 80 countries. The event in Kyiv also had a good status and there were guests from post-Soviet countries, among them Irish wolfhounds standing out. Their owner, a lady from Moscow, said the hefty fellows, despite their forbidding appearance (each the size of a calf), are quite phlegmatic and not given to snarling. Her dogs were the tallest among the contestants, but no match for the sire, Russia’s biggest Irish wolfhound (precisely one meter at the shoulders).
Yuri Slobodsky, head of KAU’s legal department and national expert, told The Day that the Ukrainian dog-breeders have been members of the International Kennel Association for three years. He is sure that Ukraine’s international prestige can be improved not only by the brothers Klychko, but also by dogs. “A lot of people are surprised to learn that the winner is from Ukraine, they want to know more about the country producing such great dogs.” Mme. Svitlana Kennels, run by Svitlana Shevchenko, one of the dog show organizers, breeds a number of international champions. Her dogs are winners of prestigious international shows, bringing gold medals and cups. This is especially true of the Chihuahua, the smallest dogs, weighing 900 g, whose numerous trophies are probably heavier than they all. Rottweilers and Amercian Staffordshire terriers also more often than not return with awards. “There are lots of enthusiasts traveling across the world, spending their money and time on this business which can’t be described as specially rewarding,” stresses Yuri Slobodsky.
Quite a few dog-breeders will object to this business not being specially rewarding. They enjoy what they are doing and there are tangible dividends. Raising your pet with loving care and then receiving up to $1,000 for a puppy is not bad at all. Also, KAU does not have all those hateful organizational and financial problems. If it is not evidence of professionalism and thriving business, what is it?
Among the greatest attractions of the dog show in Kyiv, for adults and kids alike, were the miniature Yorkshire terriers. This English breed dates back more than a hundred years and has since become popular the world over, with the number of devotees steadily on an upward curve. At present, it is the best-selling toy breed both sides of the Atlantic. A toy show was held in Amsterdam this July and Yorkshire terriers took the prestigious eighth place among 328 contesting breeds. The terrier owes such popularity to a number of innate advantages and seemingly no shortcomings. Anyway, their owner Tamara Vetkina from Dnipropetrovsk, the city’s leading breeder and owner of the kennels, feels positive about this. They are small and, despite their luxurious coat, shed no hair, cause no allergy, are kind and good-humored. Such a pet is a perfect choice for both elders, not given to playing games, and children often treating dogs like dolls; they can wear colorful clothes like Barbie, braids, you name it. Most importantly, this keeps both the dog and the kid happy. Their coat is flowing silver, their eyes are quick and intelligent. They add coziness to the home atmosphere, and they make anyone watching them smile. They are well-mannered dogs, they won’t jump out of your arms and bark at passersby. Outdoors, the Yorkshire terrier can concentrate entirely on the game it is playing. Besides, they need not be taken out like the larger dogs. The owner and the dog are quite content to stay home when it is raining or snowing, as a small box of sand will take care of the pet’s needs. As all the other terriers, the Yorkshire breed is good for training. Tamara’s daughter often wins young handler contests and believes the victory has to be credited solely to her pet. Apart from the usual commands, this dog can dance a waltz, jump through the loop, and it can also stand guard. The French jokingly call it the purse-watcher. Naturally, it won’t knock a thief off his feet, but may well bite off a finger! The dog is an early warning system rather than an attack weapon, sensing a stranger approach its master’s property and letting off shrill bow-wows.
