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Little dogs put on a big show
By Edith Brady-Lunny
eblunny@pantagraph.com
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LINCOLN -- More than 100 little dogs put on a big show Saturday at the 2007 Chihuahua Specialty Show.

Owners of the dogs that weigh about 2 pounds are dedicated to the tiny participants.

“Most of these dogs are pets first. They play and sleep with their owners — they are loved and treasured,” said Jan Hahn, show chairman.

The Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club of Illinois sponsored the show, which continues today from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Christian College Laughlin Center.

Participants from 15 states brought 119 Chihuahuas to the specialty competition.

Veta Vanderpool of Lebanon, Ind., and her 7-month-old puppy, Happy, were in the first sweepstakes category of the show for dogs under 1 year old.

“He’s just a puppy, so I hope he walks,” Vanderpool said before entering the show ring.

Happy strutted gingerly around the ring on his owner’s leash and received a second-place ribbon for his performance.

The Vanderpool family has been involved in Chihuahua breeding and showing for almost 40 years.

“We quit counting our champions at 67, and that was years ago,” Vanderpool said.

The Vanderpools brought seven Chihuahuas to the Lincoln show.

Vanderpool talked about the tiny canines as if she were speaking of family members.

“They have their own little house with a TV, air and refrigerator,” Vanderpool said of her pets.

The long life span of the breed — Chihuahuas can live 15 to 18 years — contributes to the attachment people feel for the dogs, owners said.

The specialty breed show was dedicated to the memory of Iva Gobleman, a Lincoln resident who was involved in Chihuahua shows for more than 50 years. Before her death at age 95, Gobleman groomed dogs six days a week, according to Hahn.

Roger and Amber Webb have been traveling with their dogs for about three years. The Bainbridge, Ind. couple brought Temple’s Lazarus and Chica to the Logan County show.

Showing the dogs in competition requires a great deal of training and grooming, Amber Webb said.

“Grooming is a big part of it,” she said. “You want to make them look really nice and make sure their nails and teeth are done.”

Webb said she walks her dogs every day to prepare them for the trip around the show ring.

The Chihuahua breed has two varieties, long and short coat. The two varieties are judged separately at the show. After both varieties are judged, additional competitions are held to determine other rankings, including best of breed, best puppy and best bred by exhibitor.

Participants may show their dogs both Saturday and today. Different judges are used each day, and a Best of Show is selected for each variety both days.

The judging begins with an examination of the dog to see if the animal’s teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the breed’s standards as determined by the American Kennel Club and the breed’s national club.

A walk around the show ring gives judges a chance to see the dog’s gait and balance.



Show continues



What: 2007 Chihuahua Specialty Show

When: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today

Where: Lincoln Christian College Laughlin Center

Take a look
"Rebound Always A Diva" struts her fur led by Pat Holzkopf, of Chicago, while showing in the puppy sweepstakes Saturday (March 24, 2007) during the Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club at the Laughlin Center in Lincoln. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
Amber Webb, of Bainbridge, Ind., prepares her Chihuahua "Chica" Saturday (March 24, 2007) for judging during the Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club at the Laughlin Center in Lincoln. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
Amber Webb, of Bainbridge, Ind., watches as Gilbert Sykes judges her Chihuahua "Chica" Saturday (March 24, 2007) during the Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club at the Laughlin Center in Lincoln. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
4-year old Nilla pulls away from Pat Golec and attempts to enter the judging area Saturday (March 24, 2007) during the Land of Lincoln Chihuahua Club at the Laughlin Center in Lincoln. (Pantagraph/CARLOS T. MIRANDA)
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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

just wrote on Mar 25, 2007 8:49 PM:

" something to waste money on, dog teeth & nails. you folks got more money than sense "

Yo quiero Taco Bell wrote on Mar 25, 2007 4:13 AM:

" Heeeere, Lizard, Lizard..Uh-oh, I think I need a bigger box. "
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