five day show.

The Bermuda All Breed Club International Championships and the Dog Training Club of Bermuda wrapped up their event after nearly 200 animals descended on the Botanical Gardens.

Pedigree chums from overseas and the Island competed to be best in show and to be the most obedient hound in the ring.

Hundreds of spectators watched as the pets, many from the United States and Canada, strutted their stuff in the various classes -- which included best puppy, veteran, local and Bermudian.

Topping the bill by Sunday afternoon as Best in Show over the five days was a German Shorthaired pointer "Khrispats Megan A Point'' -- a US-owned dog brought over the for the show.

Bermuda All Breed Club president Kirsti Grayston said many local dogs had excelled, winning best in show and added she was particularly pleased with the youngsters.

"We have had 17 junior handlers. Children aged from seven to 17, this is where the judges judge the way they handle the dogs -- not the dogs,'' she said.

"We have had a big crowd this year, a very good turnout. And there has been a high percentage of overseas visitors with some real fabulous dogs from the US and Canada.'' Other best in show dogs over the five days were a Newfoundland "Windwagon's Just the First'', a Schipperke called "Ch. Barsu's Noname Rose'' owned by Bermudian Graham Mocklow and "Subers Present Adam Ant'', a Pomerian from the US.

Bermuda is one of the three championships outside the US and Canada which is recognised by the US Kennel Club.

Brian Mello, of the Dog Training Club of Bermuda, said the obedience trials had attracted 43 entries.

Classes included novice, open and utility, which see dogs jumping, searching and retrieving.

The three winners were; novice, Bayford Lady Sasha, owned by local Brendan Millet, open, Misko Lord of the Rings and utility, O'Bay Joy to the World CDX.

"We have seen a lot of good dogs from overseas and we are starting to see more local entries,'' said Mr. Mello. "We had a lot of people down over the weekend and the show is getting bigger year after year.'' Earlier in the week, Robert and Elaine Trew's German Shepherd Trew's Zita won Best Puppy in Show and Best Bermuda Bred in Show on Wednesday and the same awards again on Thursday.

On Thursday, Best in the Show went to a Newfoundland owned by Katherine Hanson and Marget Johnson of Canada. The name of the dog was unavailable.

ANIMALS ALS