Post by admin on May 25, 2008 8:52:53 GMT -5
I was going to post this as a local event but went to the MCPS web site and found nothing on it. The reason is because it is not a MCPS event, although held at East Freehold park. I have been to these dog shows in the past and they are pretty good.
Brian
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/NEWS01/805250467/1285/LOCAL09
Kennel clubs sponsor annual four-day dog show
Kennel clubs sponsor annual four-day competition
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Funny what love does to you.
"I said I won't show again for love or money," said Debbie Stefanelli, 44, recalling how she had started showing Jack Russell terriers about 20 years ago, only to give it up after a few years.
Then, she met Yancy Russell, 35, about five years ago. The couple, now from Solebury, Pa., participates in an estimated 30 weekend dog shows a year.
"The love thing won out, and here I am," said Stefanelli, showing at the Atlantic Shore Memorial Weekend Classic, which began Friday and ends Monday.
Stefanelli and Russell brought three dogs, all Chinese crested, to this show, with Squirt, a 2 1/2-year-old male, winning a best-of-breed competition.
The American Kennel Club-accredited show — sponsored by the Monmouth County, Plainfield, Union County and Staten Island kennel clubs — is now in its 11th year.
This year, 154 breeds and varieties are represented, said Helmi Konderock, a Monmouth Beach resident serving as show chairwoman. It is unclear how many individual dogs will compete, but there are an estimated 4,000 slots for dogs competing, with some in more than one competition.
"We have dogs from all over the country," said Konderock, adding they compete in various categories.
One of the youngest showing was Nick Nelson, 18, of Blairstown. He was showing Jackie Chan, a 6-month-old male Pomeranian, and Eve, a 5-year-old female Shetland sheepdog.
"I grew up in it," Nelson said, explaining how he got involved in showing dogs. "I've been doing it since I was 9.
"It's fun. I like dogs, I like competing, so why not bring them together?" Nelson said.
Also showing was Nancy Simpkins, 70, of Cape May Court House. With her was her West Highland white terrier, Kelly. The 2-year-old female is formally Cape May Diamond Margarita, as registered with the AKC.
"I've had "Westies' for 16 years now," Simpkins said. "I just love them. They're small, easy to handle. They have attitude. They're affectionate."
About 2,000 spectators are expected over the four days, Konderock said. They included Mary and Tom Corcoran of Howell, along with their wonder dog, Comet, a 5-year-old male German shepherd — who, on command, sits, counts out his age with barks and pawing, whimpers and so on. Comet has appeared in print advertisements, done video work and is the model for an upcoming Hardy Boys book cover.
"He helps pay for the dog food," said Tom Corcoran, 47.
The Corcorans have shown in the past, but Saturday they were just spectators. Mary Corcoran, 48, said it was a visit "just to see all the different dogs; a nice day out."
The show also includes dog-industry vendors, with products for grooming, feeding and the general care of dogs. Vendors also have items for dog lovers — shirts, hats, pins and pillows with dog themes.
This is the ninth year the show has been at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, a site praised by those involved.
"It's level. There's shade, easy access to roads," Konderock said. "There's stores (nearby)."
"I love this show," Stefanelli said. "I love the site, easy to park. It's convenient. Vendors are great. It's a well-run show, handler-friendly."
And Mother Nature cooperated too.
"Beautiful weather," said Harold E. Perry, a Keyport resident who is president of the Monmouth County Kennel Club. "It's great weather for the dogs. It's not too hot, not too cold."
Joseph Sapia: (732) 308-7754; (800) 822-9770, ext. 1-7754; jsapia@app.com
Brian
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080525/NEWS01/805250467/1285/LOCAL09
Kennel clubs sponsor annual four-day dog show
Kennel clubs sponsor annual four-day competition
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Funny what love does to you.
"I said I won't show again for love or money," said Debbie Stefanelli, 44, recalling how she had started showing Jack Russell terriers about 20 years ago, only to give it up after a few years.
Then, she met Yancy Russell, 35, about five years ago. The couple, now from Solebury, Pa., participates in an estimated 30 weekend dog shows a year.
"The love thing won out, and here I am," said Stefanelli, showing at the Atlantic Shore Memorial Weekend Classic, which began Friday and ends Monday.
Stefanelli and Russell brought three dogs, all Chinese crested, to this show, with Squirt, a 2 1/2-year-old male, winning a best-of-breed competition.
The American Kennel Club-accredited show — sponsored by the Monmouth County, Plainfield, Union County and Staten Island kennel clubs — is now in its 11th year.
This year, 154 breeds and varieties are represented, said Helmi Konderock, a Monmouth Beach resident serving as show chairwoman. It is unclear how many individual dogs will compete, but there are an estimated 4,000 slots for dogs competing, with some in more than one competition.
"We have dogs from all over the country," said Konderock, adding they compete in various categories.
One of the youngest showing was Nick Nelson, 18, of Blairstown. He was showing Jackie Chan, a 6-month-old male Pomeranian, and Eve, a 5-year-old female Shetland sheepdog.
"I grew up in it," Nelson said, explaining how he got involved in showing dogs. "I've been doing it since I was 9.
"It's fun. I like dogs, I like competing, so why not bring them together?" Nelson said.
Also showing was Nancy Simpkins, 70, of Cape May Court House. With her was her West Highland white terrier, Kelly. The 2-year-old female is formally Cape May Diamond Margarita, as registered with the AKC.
"I've had "Westies' for 16 years now," Simpkins said. "I just love them. They're small, easy to handle. They have attitude. They're affectionate."
About 2,000 spectators are expected over the four days, Konderock said. They included Mary and Tom Corcoran of Howell, along with their wonder dog, Comet, a 5-year-old male German shepherd — who, on command, sits, counts out his age with barks and pawing, whimpers and so on. Comet has appeared in print advertisements, done video work and is the model for an upcoming Hardy Boys book cover.
"He helps pay for the dog food," said Tom Corcoran, 47.
The Corcorans have shown in the past, but Saturday they were just spectators. Mary Corcoran, 48, said it was a visit "just to see all the different dogs; a nice day out."
The show also includes dog-industry vendors, with products for grooming, feeding and the general care of dogs. Vendors also have items for dog lovers — shirts, hats, pins and pillows with dog themes.
This is the ninth year the show has been at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, a site praised by those involved.
"It's level. There's shade, easy access to roads," Konderock said. "There's stores (nearby)."
"I love this show," Stefanelli said. "I love the site, easy to park. It's convenient. Vendors are great. It's a well-run show, handler-friendly."
And Mother Nature cooperated too.
"Beautiful weather," said Harold E. Perry, a Keyport resident who is president of the Monmouth County Kennel Club. "It's great weather for the dogs. It's not too hot, not too cold."
Joseph Sapia: (732) 308-7754; (800) 822-9770, ext. 1-7754; jsapia@app.com