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Pooches promenade

The Florida Classic Clusters dog show, billed as the largest in the state, starts Saturday.

By BETH N. GRAY
Published January 8, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - In the show ring, in the judges' circle, even on pooper-scooper detail, Hernando County dog enthusiasts promise to have a big presence at the annual Florida Classic Clusters dog show, which begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 21.

Billed as the largest dog show in the state, the event takes place at Florida Classic Park, east of Brooksville. It features American Kennel Club all-breed dog conformation judging, obedience trials and rally trials, sponsored by four Tampa Bay area kennel clubs. Some 1,800 dogs competed last year.

Already on the entry books this year are four whippets owned and to be shown by Diane and Ralph Chiucchi of Brooksville. Even after showing for 11 years, Diane says, "I'm still new at it." The real veterans have been stepping into show rings for 30 or 35 years, she said.

Diane is excited for 18-month-old MoonDancers Movin' Out - Billy, for short - named after the Broadway production featuring the music of Billy Joel. The young male needs just two points to finish his championship.

"For me, this is pretty good," she said. "It takes 15 points and two sets of majors which depend on the number of competitors.

"He has both his majors," she said of the fawn and white, slim competitor, a sort of small version of a greyhound racing dog.

She formerly showed Afghans, bigger dogs with long, flowing coats that required hours of grooming. Raising a daughter and running her Brooksville Dance Academy for the last six years persuaded her to downsize. Whippets, she said, are "wash and go."

Also in her stable headed for the Florida Classic are 2-year-old Pablo, white and brindle with nine points toward his championship status; Mickey, Pablo's brother, white with brindle and black markings, a finished champion that will show in best of breed; and Fanny, a sister of Billy that is just climbing the scale with two championship points to her credit.

From dance to dog shows isn't a far leap, Chiucchi says. "It's performing with your dog," suggests the former Rockette, now 64.

Her husband, president of the Pasco Florida Kennel Club and co-chairman of the Florida Classic, joins her as show ring handler, announces and sings the national anthem.

A husband-wife team from north of Weeki Wachee also will parade their dogs in conformation competition. Charles and Helen Ingher breed and show petit basset griffon vendeens. If that's too much to grasp, think Benji of movie fame - about 14 inches at the shoulder, 25 to 34 pounds, rough-coated, beard, mustache, eyebrows.

"They're cute as buttons," said Charles Ingher, noting they are white with any other color.

From their complement of 20 griffons, Charles and friends will campaign two 6-month-old puppies and a couple more that they co-own. Helen Ingher will cheer from the sidelines.

In another ring, Nancy Kraus of Brooksville will trot out her 16-month-old Samoyed in best of breed and specialty classes for dogs already with "champion" etched on their pedigree.

Carley, white with black points, co-bred with an owner in Louisiana, earned her credentials over four previous competitions. She is from one of four litters the Krauses have bred over 13 years raising Samoyeds.

On the other side of the show rings, Ron and Pat Lombardi of Brooksville will cast decisions as judges. He will judge working dogs; she will assess miniature and giant schnauzers.

They have been breeding dogs for 35 years, officiating "all over the country" for the last eight years, Pat said.

"There's a procedure with the AKC" to become a judge, she said. "It takes a long period of time in which you go through educational qualifications as well as your experience with dogs and the show ring."

What makes a winner?

"You have a good dog to begin with, conforms to its breed standard and then you put icing on the cake ... by conditioning, presentation, training. You begin with the dog you have. You can spend months in the preparation," she said.

In addition to the competitions, with almost all breeds competing daily, behind-the-scenes half-hour tours will be led from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Some 50 vendors will be on hand with canine crates, doggie bowls, vests and bathrobes; owners' ties, aprons and T-shirts emblazoned with a favorite breed; and feeds, supplements and veterinary products.

A food court will offer a wide variety of treats and refreshments. Pet rescue organizations will showcase adoptable pets. The Doggie Fun Zone invites pet owners to bring their dogs to compete on a multidimensional lure course for $10.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 20:54:11]