The capital city came alive with barks and applause as the Odisha Kennel Club’s much-anticipated three-day Dog Show commenced on Friday at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Veterinary College campus. The opening day was dedicated exclusively to German Shepherds, showcasing their remarkable discipline, agility, and training.
More than 100 German Shepherds, aged between 4 and 24 months and above, participated in the inaugural day’s exhibitions. These dogs, hailing from Odisha and other states, captivated hundreds of spectators with their precise obedience to trainers’ commands. Despite the large number gathered in the arena, the well-trained canines maintained perfect composure, without any fights or disruptions—a testament to professional breeding and handling.
The event highlighted the contrast between trained pedigree dogs and stray ones, emphasizing the value of proper training. As one observer noted through the spectacle, even a group of untrained street dogs might descend into chaos, but these German Shepherds performed flawlessly, entertaining and educating the crowd.
The day’s proceedings began with Minor Puppy categories and progressed to Open classes. Categories included Minor Puppy Dog/Bitch (4-6 months), Puppy Dog/Bitch (9-12 months), Youth Dog/Bitch (12-18 months), Young Dog/Bitch (18-24 months), and Open Dog/Bitch (above 24 months).
International judge Jochen Prall from the German Shepherd Dog Confederation in Germany expertly officiated, ensuring fair evaluations.
In the Minor Puppy Dog category, ‘Coco’, owned and handled by Tababrat Bhattacharyya from Bhubaneswar, clinched first place. Bhattacharyya expressed immense joy, revealing that Coco is an original breed imported from Germany. “I take great care in his upbringing, spending 25,000 to 30,000 rupees monthly on his maintenance,” he said.
In another highlight, ‘Chini’, a Puppy Bitch from Kolkata handled by Dishant Soni, secured second position. Soni, thrilled with the achievement, shared, “I never believed my 10-month-old Chini would perform so beautifully. This is her second show, and I’m overjoyed. She even recognizes my name!”
The festive atmosphere drew large crowds, with spectators cheering “Wah! Wah!” as the dogs showcased their skills.
The show continues over the weekend, promising more breeds and excitement for dog lovers across the region.
