9 September 2004

The New Zealand Kennel Club Pro Plan National Dog Show 2004

Approximately 2000 dogs, ranging from Great Danes to Chihuahuas, will compete in the New Zealand Kennel Club PRO PLAN 2004 National Dog Show to be held from Thursday 23 September to Saturday 25 September at The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere City.

The event will be officially opened by Local Government Minister Chris Carter, with the Best in Show award being presented by Mayor of Waitakere City Bob Harvey and New Lynn MP David Cunliffe on Saturday night [25 September].

Chairperson of the New Zealand Kennel Club PRO PLAN 2004 National Dog Show, Margaret Wilson, says this year's event will be a spectacle featuring over 120 different breeds and several hundred obedience and agility dogs.

"We are delighted with a 10% increase in entries from last year's event which shows growing enthusiasm for dog exhibition events like this," said Wilson.

A Dog's Breakfast will kick off the event at 10.30am on Wednesday [22 September] in Ring One at The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere City. The breakfast will launch Canine Week in Waitakere City and will see celebrities, including comedian Ewan Gilmour, Mayor of Waitakere City Bob Harvey and SPCA Chief Executive Officer Bob Kerridge, compete relay-style with their dogs to empty their breakfast bowls. Cornflakes and PRO PLAN are on the menu. The Show will include a series of heats, semi finals and finals where dog breeds will be divided into the following categories for judging: Gundog, Toy, Terrier, Hound, Utility, Working, and Non-Sporting. There will be a separate judging for the Sweep Stakes Classes where dogs are divided into categories including New Zealand Bred, Puppies and Best in Show. (Please visit www.nzkc.org.nz/nds2004/judging.html for a detailed show timetable)

"One of the highlights of the event will be the junior handling competition, which will take place on Friday [24 September]. Eleven regional heat winners from around the country will compete for a trip for two and a chance to represent New Zealand in March at the International Junior Handler section at Crufts - the most prestigious dog show in the world," said Wilson.

"Other highlights will be the presentation of the inaugural PRO PLAN Canine Heroes on Thursday and the group judging, Best in Show and Test C Obedience competitions on Saturday".

Chris Graham of Christchurch will be the only New Zealander on the conformation judging panel, which also includes Annika Ullviet-Moe of Sweden, Marit Sunde of Norway, Eugene Blake of the Unites States and Lynne Lee of Australia.

"We have a fantastic panel of judges. Annika Ullviet-Moe and Marit Sunde are Scandinavia's top judges and Eugene Blake was the first African American to become an All Breeds judge," said Wilson.

"Mary Ray, from the United Kingdom, heads the Dog Training panel and is world renowned for heelwork to music. Her performances with her border collies are always a highlight at Crufts".

Results will be posted on the NZKC website (www.nzkc.org.nz/nds2004/results.html) and will be updated during the show.

ENDS