COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN KENNEL CLUB Four bulldogs at Pet Expo 2002

Youngsters show pups
in Pet Expo

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By Gary C. W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com

Everyone loves puppies, and one of the events at this year's Pet Expo 2002 tomorrow and Sunday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, is a "puppy match" that will be put on by the Hawaiian Kennel Club.

The club's president, Gerri Cadiz, said that although the competition has been held annually for the past 40 years, Sunday's exhibition "will be more of an educational match that's being held between our official March and September shows."

COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN KENNEL CLUB New handlers under 18 are encouraged to show their pups like this Norwich terrier. Pups, ages 3 months to 1 year old

Even though this weekend's show is one sanctioned by the national American Kennel Club, Cadiz said "this will not be for championship points. The competition will be on a more casual level. No previous champions can be entered as this show will be more for the encouragement of first-time puppy junior (under 18) showmen in the caring and showing of their dogs."

Puppies ranging from 3 months to a year old, representing 40 different pure breeds, will be shown. Breeds include "tiny Havanese and Chihuahuas, the very popular toy breeds like the Pomeranians and papillons, golden and Labrador retrievers, and up to Akitas, Rottweilers and Dobermans."

Pet Expo 2002 Where: Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday Admission: Free; donations of nonperishable food items to benefit Hawaii Foodbank will be accepted Call: 845-1762

And since they're, after all, just puppies, Cadiz said "there's not too much expected of them. The junior handlers should be able to get them to walk on a leash and allow the judges to handle them. We'll be using local breeders and handlers as judges, and they'll be very patient and make allowances for the puppies in the noisy expo environment."

Like regular dog shows, there will be seven group winners picked by the end of Sunday's expo, all vying for "Best in Show."

COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN KENNEL CLUB This papillon is one of the many pets at Pet Expo 2002.

Other exhibits and events at the expo, themed "People, Pets and Veterinarians ... A Winning Team," will include the Ask-A-Vet booth, an animal-treats cooking demonstration, a petting zoo, a poi dog show tomorrow at 11 a.m., and a household cat show on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Registration is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday for the competition for Best Poi Dog (judged for best personality health and obedience), Happiest Tail Wagger, Best "Local" Pet Trick, Owner & Pet Look-A-Like, and Most Obedient dogs.

Remember, while pets are welcome, dogs must be leashed and pets must be under their owner's control at all times.

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