From fur to feathers, Winnipeg Pet Show features all things animal

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This article was published 21/10/2017 (2389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When a crowd gasps in response to a dog jumping a hurdle, you know you’re in the presence of dog lovers.

When a child stoops to pat a rescue dog and the dog gently nuzzles her, you know you’re in the presence of dog lovers.

When a vendor hands you a plastic poop bag holder in the shape of a bone, you know you’re in the presence of dog lovers.

The third annual Winnipeg Pet Show wrapped up this weekend with an estimated 6,000 pet lovers handing over $14 per ticket to pass through the doors at the RBC Convention Centre.

“And that doesn’t count the dogs or any of the vendors who bring pets,” show manager Sherri Rheubottom chuckled Sunday.

The event ran Saturday and Sunday.

Rheubottom runs Show Time Productions, perhaps best known for its 25-plus years of running the Wonderful Wedding Show, as well as other non-pet events.

This year saw a mix of all things animal, with pet vendors, animal rescue and foster associations as well as pure bred dog clubs. The petting zoo featured one pony and two alpacas. There were cat rescue exhibits, exotic birds and reptiles.

“We’ve been slowly expanding every year and we have just over 100 vendors,” Rheubottom said.

The centre of the event was the pure bred showcase hosted by event charter sponsor, The Canadian Kennel Club.

“It’s an all-breed dog show, judging against the standard for all breeds, to evaluate the breeding stock,” said Michelle Delaliaux, a Dugald dog owner of a couple of champions from this weekend.

Past president of River City Labrador Enthusiasts, Delaliaux’s Lab Shakira won second-best in breed, a runner-up award officially named “Best of Opposite Sex.” Another dog of hers, Freya, a Siberian Husky took “Select Female,” which Delaliaux described as an award of merit. She’s also national president of the Siberian Husky Club of Canada.

The crowd-pleaser was the X-treme Dogs show, a contest of Frisbee catching and hurdle jumping. Dozens watched as owners put their dogs through their paces, bu it was the tiny dogs that got the biggest applause. “Because they’re jumping so high,” said one spectator. “It’s like if you jumped three times your height.”