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Hundreds Gather for 112th Miami Dog Club Show

Posted on: Thursday, 14 December 2006, 06:00 CST

By Yudy Pineiro

One spunky dog stood out at this weekend's Greater Miami Dog Club Show.

Her name was Lola. She was a French bulldog.

With her prominent bat ears and shiny, colored rhinestone collar, she would romp and bark for stuffy dog owners and their unruffled show dogs.

And while she grabbed their attention, many bewilderedly stared at her.

"She just wants to play," said Arlene Diaz, Lola's owner.

From Friday through Sunday, the Miami-Dade Fair & Exposition, 10901 SW 24th St., was home to more than 800 breeders and hundreds of show dogs competing for Best in Breed and Best in Show titles, among a score of other bragging rights.

And hundreds of people showed up to watch the dogs strut their stuff.

"We've had a great turnout so far," said Rosie Feeley, owner of a Labrador retriever named Hogan, on Saturday. "This is more than I had ever seen."

The dogs were split into breed groups -- Sporting, Non-Sporting, Hound, Toy, Terrier, Working and Herding -- and judged by appearance, movement, temperament and conformity.

Sylvia Meisels used a slicker brush Saturday afternoon to comb through the fluffy white coat on her Westie named Bounder. She pressed it down with hair spray.

Bounder, whose competition name is Champion Whiteoaks Bound For Glory, stood on the grooming table droopy-eyed after a long morning, having won Best in Breed among Terriers -- and preparing to compete in Best in Group. Another dog won that.

Sylvia's husband, Gerry Meisels, said they have been breeding Westies for more than 30 years.

"We do it because we love dogs. We love the breed. We want to see good Westies," he said.

Arlene Diaz, who owns Lola and lives in the Falls, is not a breeder. In fact, she said she didn't know much about the show-dog business.

When she was in the market for a dog, Diaz started attending dog shows.

"These shows are great because you get to learn about what dogs are better for you," she said.

Diaz had an idea of the kind of pooch she wanted. She wanted a lap dog and traveling companion. However, she was not sure what breed would be good for her and her husband.

"One day, I saw this type of dog -- the French Bulldog," Diaz said.

She researched the breed: They were the perfect size for apartment living, low-maintenance and great for couples, particularly those with young children.

"The only bad thing: They have short legs and fat bodies, so if you have a lake or something, it's probably not a good idea," Diaz said. "They sink like an anchor."

Diaz said she met Lola, a champagne-colored puppy -- and fell in love.

She bought her from the Hedgebrook Kennel more than a year ago. Lola, who turns two next week, has already been to a handful of competitions.

Diaz has started to pick up the lingo. Lola, who goes by the show name Champion Hedgebrook Copacabana, didn't compete well Saturday. But she has won before. And she will win again, Diaz says.

Source: The Miami Herald

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