Well this year's shows were spectacular! The weather was great, it brought out many spectators and just gave everyone a positive feeling all weekend. Club members worked hard to make the grounds clean and easy to navigate. Our volunteers were invaluable assets as they helped at the gate, in the committee area and with the raffle.
Putting on a two-day dog show is a lot of hard work and the only reward is that everything runs smoothly. There were a few minor issues at the beginning but they were resolved quickly and, with exception of a judge cancellation, seamlessly so most people didn't even realize there was an issue.
Thank you to all the club members, volunteers, judges, exhibitors and spectators for making our show a success. And we look forward to improving our shows for 2010. Be sure to check our site often for details.
Below are some photos of dogs and their people taken during the show weekend. Enjoy.
YORK COUNTY KENNEL CLUB'S
2009 AKC ALL-BREED DOG SHOWS, OBEDIENCE & RALLY TRIALS
MAY 2 & 3, 2009
Vendors display their goods as spectators and exhibitors stroll past. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
The Wholistic Pet & Wholistic Organics proudly sponsored our shows and set up a booth full of healthy dog goodies. Photo by Traey Levasseur
Central Maine Brittany Club held its Specialty during our Saturday show. To inform the general public about Brittanys, CMBC set up this booth, seen here manned by club president John Short. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
These Brittanys get ready for the judge to go over them during the Central Maine Brittany Club puppy sweepstakes on Saturday. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
Sweepstakes judge and YCKC member Karen Gatchell inspecting the Brittany pups. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
Best in Show both days went to CH Ripsnorter's Mt. View Lookout, a German Wirehaired Pointer. It's obvious he's enthusiastic about his win. He grabbed his BIS rosette and headed back to handler Frank Murphy's vehicle with it in his mouth (photo below). Both photos by Tracey Benson
YCKC's own snowbird Julia Clough arrived back in Maine just in time for our shows. Seen here, left photo, in obedience with her Pembroke Welsh Corgi CH Sippiwisset Storm Surge HT RN, Julia recalled her dog from across the ring. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
Julia's dog follows closely, right photo, and in this shot he displays excellent movement. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
YCKC's unofficial "greeter." Photo by Tracey Benson
This dapper gentleman is Pat Maloney with his Bearded Collie CH Tolkien Haven of Eldar, more lovingly known as Traveler. The Bearded Collie Club of Maine supported the Beardie entries both days of the show. Photo by Karen Norteman
This English springer spaniel's serious expression is echoed by its owner's as it poses at ringside for a candid shot. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
Another example of YCKC members helping out all around. Pictured here is YCKC's newest, youngest member Shania Hersey. She was supposed to show her uncle's dog in Junior Showmanship but the dog had to be pulled at the last moment. Member Ann Short offered to let Shania show her Brittany pup, Pippin in the Sweeps and regular classes. Shania is seen here getting Pippin's attention in a lovely free stack. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
The Portuguese Water Dog, recently made famous by the Obama family, is seen here groomed in the "lion cut" which is a practical grooming cut, not purely cosmetic. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
Whoever said show dogs don't get loved like most family pets never came to our dog show! Photos by Tracey Benson
A couple of head studies. Two of the three Briards entered at our show, photo at left. The smiling fellow at right is a French bulldog or Frenchie. Photo at left by Tracey Benson, photo at right by Tracey Levasseur
Three Longhaired Dachshunds march off with owner Peg Dilley. Photo by Tracey Benson
Dog shows are not always serious and formal. The Chesapeake Bay retriever, at left, couldn't stop dancing around so his owner managed to stop him for a moment to get this shot. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
The huge Mastiff pictured below took the opportunity to have a roll in the grass while waiting by ringside. Photo by Tracey Benson
At first glance this dog would appear to be a Newfoundland. But with the zoom lens it proved to be a Leonberger, a large and beautiful breed recently recognized by AKC. Photo by Tracey Levasseur
