IT WAS Paul Kylstra’s two-and-a-half year-old Bouvier des Flandres named Nate who stole the show at the 2016 Ballarat Dog Expo on Sunday afternoon.
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A strict, rigorous training regime alongside numerous hours of grooming were just some of the things which led to the Belgium working dog to be named best exhibit in show.
“For a coated breed like this there’s hours of grooming,” Mr Kylstra said. “There’s probably about five hours of grooming that goes into getting him ready for one show.”
The Warragul resident has been involved in dog breeding for 25 years, and said he and Nate attended a dog show around once every fortnight.
“I love the breed for a start, and I love the presentation side of things,” Mr Kylstra said. “There’s also a great camaraderie within the dog show community as well.”
Nate was just one of over 850 dogs which attended the event, showcased across seven different categories. Competitors came from across the state to show off their animals.
Best in show judge Wayne Douglas said movement and build were just some of the qualities judges were looking for in a show-quality pooch.
“It’s about a dog being fit,” Mr Douglas said. “Most judges will ask a dog to run in a triangle, because that shows you the three aspects of it’s movement.”
As well as the seven categories, a special event dedicated to the German Shepherd was held by the German Shepard Club of Victoria, gaining over 100 entries.
German Shepherds are given more opportunity to show off their physicality in the specialist events compared to the regular competition.
Club member Dot Harrison said she had been involved in the event for 30 years, and it continues to go from strength to strength.
“People like seeing the dogs, and there’s all sorts here,” Ms Harrison said.
Ms Harrison said over the years she had seen different breeds go in and out of popularity at the show, and that “every breed has its day”.
“Years ago there was a lot of Corgis around, and then there was a lot of Afghans around.”
The next event will be held at Morshead Park in April.