File picture of a golden retriever participating in a show in Guwahati

Guwahati, Nov. 24: Come Saturday and some of the best and most prized dogs will hold centrestage in the city’s first all-India dog show.

Pedigree dogs like a Rs 60-lakh Saint Bernard, a champion German Shepherd named Bob and other exotic breeds will be on display at the show, which has been awarded to the city at the persistence of the Guwahati Kennel Club.

GKC president Subrata Hazarika said around 150 dogs of 27 to 29 breeds would take part in the event designed as the All India All Breed Championship Dog Show.

He said the GKC had been authorised by the Kennel Club of India for the first time to organise the all-India championship dog show after the former successfully organised four open dog shows in the previous years.

“Pedigree dogs from Maharastra, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa and Meghalaya will participate in the championship dog show. The GKC is quite excited about organising the show and is confident of making it a grand success,” Hazarika said.

“The club has applied for permission from the Kamrup metro administration to hold the show either at Assam Engineering Institute playground in Chandmari or at Latasil field. The permission will be granted within Thursday,” he added.

Hazarika said apart from the champion dogs, some of the finest breed of dogs never seen by the people of Assam would participate in the show.

The Miniature Pinscher, a small breed of dog of the type developed in Germany, and the Miniature Schnauzer, a breed of small dog that originated in Germany, will be the attractions of the show. The Shetland sheep dog of the pastoral dog group will also participate in the show.

The chief advisor of GKC, Rithika Kalita, said the basic aim of organising the show was to unite canine lovers on a common platform to exchange views, suggestions and experiences on how to take care of their dogs scientifically.

She said many canine lovers in Assam, despite spending a huge amount of money to purchase their favourite pets, did not know how to judge the right breed or take care of them.

“I am waiting eagerly for the show. I want to see and buy a St Bernard,” Rajib Sarma, a dog lover, said.

Microchips will be attached to pedigree dogs during the show to maintain a database of registered dogs and help in selective breeding. Implanting microchips will also help to trace lost dogs.