Trouble at the Kennel (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery #9)(14)
“So there’s quite a bit of money to be made if your dog gets one of the top prizes, is that right?”
“It’s kind of a twofold thing. Some people follow the show circuit for the money. They want to have their dog win Best of Breed. It guarantees that stud fees and puppies will earn a lot of money for them, but there’s another thing operating here as well. It’s called ego. For many people it has nothing to do with money. It’s all about them owning the dog that has been declared Best of Breed. For a lot of people, it’s the single biggest achievement they’ll ever have in their lives. Believe me, you’ll see the same people at the next show. Their entertainment is following the shows, showing their dogs, and hoping someday to be a winner.”
“So from what you’re saying, these dogs are not family pets.”
“Absolutely not. If you want to see something really interesting, go back behind the show ring area and take a look at the grooming area. That’s where owners and groomers do the last-minute grooming of their dogs just before the dog enters the ring. Do you know what a snood is?”
“Vaguely. Isn’t it something that covers women’s hair?”
“Yes. It originally came from Europe. Many years ago unmarried women wore snoods. Well, the basset hound owners started putting them on their dog’s ears after the groomer finished with them and before the dog went into the ring. It protects the dog’s ears from touching the floor and getting dirty.”
“Are you kidding? That’s unbelievable.”
“Trust me,” the man said. “That’s nothing. All of the owners and handlers keep a dog tack box for each dog. It has hair spray, powder, hair dryers, and whatever else they feel is needed for the dog to look his or her best in the ring.”
“Thank you. I had no idea there was so much involved in preparing a dog to be shown. I thought the owners came, the dogs were walked around in a ring, and everyone went home. Sounds like there’s a lot more to it than that.”
“There is. Being a dog handler is a full-time profession. They usually charge somewhere between $50 and $100 per dog to show them, and often they show a number of different dogs in a day. Many of the handlers have large trailers or recreational vehicles they use to transport the dogs from show to show. A dog may spend months with a handler. Keep in mind that this show is not Westminster, plus there’s usually a bonus structure for wins at various levels such as Best of Breed or Best in Show.”
“This is amazing. It seems like a completely different world.”
“It is. It’s not just running around the ring. The handlers have legal contracts with the owners, and they have to work closely with veterinarians to make sure the dog is in optimum health. It’s a very big responsibility, and handlers that can get a dog to Best of Breed or Best in Show are in huge demand. They can pretty much name their own price.”
“Thanks again. I’m going to go get the schedule. There are a couple of breeds I’m interested in.”
“What would those be, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I’m curious about pit bulls,” Kelly said. “I have a boxer, and I know that both breeds are considered bully breeds, but I’d like to see what really good pit bulls look like. So often the only time I see them is when they’re with some macho man and the dog’s wearing a spike collar. I always wonder if it’s a purebred.”
“You won’t see any spike collars here. Everyone takes their dog’s breed very seriously. What’s the other breed?”
“I find Yorkshire terriers interesting,” she said thinking about what Noelle had told her. “I guess if any breed would benefit from grooming it would be them. They certainly have a lot of long silky hair that would have to be attended to.”
“Well, you should have an interesting time. I can’t think of two breeds that would be more diametrically opposite from one another. Excuse me, but that’s my dog that just went into the ring.”
“Good luck,” Kelly said, “and again, thanks for all the information.” She walked to the front desk and picked up the schedule for the weekend.
Good, both of the breeds are going to be shown within the hour. While I wait, I can read the free paper that was being handed out about the dogs and see if I can find out anything about the pit bull man and the Yorkshire terrier woman. I’ll have enough time to watch the two breeds when they’re shown in the ring and then head home in time to start dinner before Mike gets home.
CHAPTER 12
On her way to the ring where the pit bulls were going to be shown Kelly passed a sign on a door that read “Grooming Area – Authorized Personnel Only.” Based on the conversation she’d just about the dogs’ groomers, she decided to take a quick look. She opened the door and stood there with her mouth agape. Everywhere she looked there was activity. The noise level was almost deafening from the sound of the hair dryers. All kinds of breeds were standing on small tables with their groomers next to them who were wearing aprons while they were fluffing, dusting, curling, and even applying clear nail polish to dogs’ toenails.
She quickly closed the door and stepped back outside the room before anyone discovered she wasn’t authorized to be in there.
That’s amazing. If anyone had tried to describe that scene to me I would have said they were crazy. I can’t begin to imagine how much money must be spent by the dog owners for groomers and supplies. Of course that doesn’t take into account the huge cost of buying the dogs in the first place. This is not a cheap pastime. Interesting as it is, I’m so glad I never had any desire to show my dogs. I’m fine with them curling up at my feet at night and giving them an occasional brushing and a bath. Even if Mike decides we can keep Skyy, I’m not sure I’m ready for that world.