Dogs take their marks for the Championship Dog Show at Jusco school, Kadma. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Jan. 8: C.A. Martins? love affair with the canine world began almost 35 years ago.

Today, he and his two champion poodles were in Jusco School, Kadma, to participate in a dog show organised by the Jamshedpur Kennel Club. An organic chemistry professor from Goa, Martins is the proud owner of over 40 dogs of 17 different breeds. Like Martins, there were several others whose love and enthusiasm for dogs brought them to the steel city from far of places like Delhi, Jalandhar and Raipur.

So, from the tough German Shepherd and Irish Setter to the timid Pomeranian and the cute Pug, this year?s championship show organised by the Jamshedpur Kennel Club had them all. ?This year almost 19 different breeds have come to the show and the number of dogs are around 209,? said B.K. Sinha, secretary Jamshedpur Kennel club.

The event, which started on January 7, saw many dog trainers and handlers trying to score the perfect 10 during the obedience test held on Saturday. While Tata Motors walked away with the champion class trophy in the C-test category, the canine from Tata Steel won the first position in the companion category. There wer also individual winners from Calcutta and the city.

Judged by R.C. Lingam eminent dog trainer from Mumbai, it was the royal German Shepherds who stole show during the obedience test rounds. ?A happy dog always gives a good show. So, the first aspect that we try to gauge is how happy the dog is with his master. Once that?s taken care of, the dog is bound to follow commands,? said Lingam, who has been attending dog shows througout the country.

If the first day was for the various obedience tests, today?s events saw the participants take part in the all-breeds round. ?Out of the 150 well-known breeds, only a dozen could make it to the dog show this time,? said P. Sarkar, who has been visiting the steel city for the past two decades to judge the all-breeds rounds.

?Every event is divided into segments such as beginners, pre-beginners and novice. The winners for each category compete for titles such as the show?s best dog and the best breed of all. There are also other titles such as best breed in India and the best puppy of the lot which are divided in 35th and 36th categories,? added Sinha. On Sunday night, the Labrador pup owned by Jamshedpur resident S.B. Joshie won the best puppy award in the 36th category. While Calcutta-based Michael Liu?s Doberman walked away with best dog of the show award in the 35th category. Asish Dey?s little Daschund was the best Indian breed in the same.

Apart from the two Indian judges, there were Roberto Tesoro and Jose Mediola from the Phillipines, who visited the steel city for the first time. Come tomorrow, a special training session has also been planned for the local trainers by the visiting judges.