Pugs at a dog show organised by Calcutta Canine Club at Science City. A file picture

With winter approaching, it’s time to take your precious pug or spaniel to the dog shows around town. But you need to groom your pet for the purpose. Here’s a what-to-do guide.

According to the KCI (Kennel Club of India) rules, dogs that meet the following characteristics can participate in shows:

1) They must be registered by KCI Chennai.

2) Dogs must be physically fit to take part in a show.

3) Male dogs with both descendent testes will only be allowed.

To keep your dog in the pink of health, you have to rid him of parasites that may have infected internally or externally. De-worm your dog to improve coat and skin.

The best medicines for internal worms are Drontal Plus, Pyrate Forte, Plozin and Ivermectin. For external worms you can administer Butox, Ridd, Tick powder and Tick shampoo.

Then come food and exercise. If your dog is participating in the working category, a lot of exercise is necessary to develop his muscles and stamina. Alongside exercises, give him food that is high on protein and fat and low on carbohydrate. During this time you can also give him high-energy planned commercial food like Pedigree Active, Royal Canine and Hills Prescription Diet.

For toning up the body, you can administer Vitacept and Tonophosphen injection twice a week. Nutricoat, Vitabest or multivitamin tablets can be given orally. Don’t exercise your dog too much, as it might be harmful for him.

If your dog participates in the toy, gundog or any other category, you should not give him too much exercise.

Give food containing more fat to improve his coat condition. You can make a meal of paneer, saltless cheese, oatmeal and full cream milk, or Pedigree Puppy, Nutricoat, codliver oil or Vitacharm daily. These will help the growth of hair and check hair fall.

Be careful about dandruff which may trigger hair fall and prompt the dog to scratch too much. You can use Topzole, Myconil and Seledraff shampoo.

If you have got smooth-hair dogs like a black Dobermann, dachshund or Labrador, you can use a conditioner after shampoo.

Rub the coat of your dog with a mixture of olive oil and water for two days before the show. For a shine, you can rub him with beer and leather gloves daily. Brushing and combing will increase blood circulation in the skin and nourish the hair follicles.

Finally there is training, which is very important to fetch marks. Judges will see how your dog moves, stands and responds. Don’t take your dog to a show if he is moody, not until you can change his temperament. Judges will touch your dog’s head and mouth.

Dates of dog shows across town:

November 25-26: North Calcutta Kennel Club (Contact C.S. Sarkar at 25576362)

December 17-18: Calcutta Canine Club (Contact S.S. Chatterjee at 24499091)

January 12-14: Calcutta Kennel Club (Contact S. Rahaman at 24030642)

Send your queries to goutam3@hotmail.com.