ICONIC Lake Boga made its mark for a different reason than its famous history last weekend.
Rather than the roar of a Catalina landing on the lake, it was the bark of more than 600 dogs that brought people from all over Australia to the idyllic shores for the two day Swan Hill and Lake Boga Kennel Club dog show.
For the first time in the show’s 40-year history, it was held on the edge of Lake Boga at the Yacht Club, a move that organisers said was a boon for the event.
It is usually held at the Junior Football Grounds on Lalbert Road, but a clash with a game saw the event moved.
Show secretary Kathy Humphries said the location was “magnificent” and had also increased the numbers of people from the general public coming through.
“Exhibitors were very happy — the view was great,” Ms Humphries said.
“Some people have said ‘we don’t care who you get to judge it we are coming back next year’.
“We had a lot of locals coming through, people who were cycling or using the walking path — it was good to see so many locals [come for a look].”
A new class was introduced this year that takes into account the changing regulations around dog ownership.
Traditionally, dog shows have been about showing pure breed non-desexed dogs — a way for breeders to display the dogs they have produced.
But in the changing world of government regulations, the number of desexed dogs has risen, resulting in decreased numbers of entrants in shows.
As a way to increase entries, some shows have included classes specifically for neutered dogs — with the show at Lake Boga following the trend this year.
“It helps people to stay within the dog world,” Ms Humphries said.
“Best Neuter in Show was won by a whippet on Saturday and a King Charles Cavalier on Sunday.”
The title of Best in Show on both Saturday and Sunday was won by poodle (miniature) Australian Supreme/New Zealand Grand Champion Westpriors Black Giorgio.
“This dog shone out above the others,” Ms Humphries said.
“Each dog is judged against a written standard for that breed.
“Every dog has its fault, but some meet their standard better than others, that dog really stood out amongst the others.”
Dogs are judged on a list of criteria including build, size, handling and showing ability.
The Swan Hill and Lake Boga Kennel Club hold their dog show annually on the second weekend of June.
