HONG KONG: CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW
Like 0 Dislike 0 Published on 21 Jul 2015
Cant/Eng/Nat
Shampoo, hair shine and bows were the order of the day in Hong Kong, as 300 dogs were spruced up to compete for prizes in the city's Championship Dog Show.
Tiny Pekinese to larger dachshunds and giant mastiffs were put through their paces.
Hong Kong's canines have never looked so good.
Coats were shampooed and shined, with no expense and effort spared by owners.
More than 300 dogs were spruced up to take part in the Hong Kong Kennel's Club championship dog show.
Breeds included tiny Pekinese to larger dachshunds and giant mastiffs.
Up until the last minute, owners continued to preen their dogs, with even last minute hair cutting.
The show even attracted dog owners, whose pets weren't competing.
SOUNDBITE:
"You know, I mean you have to love your dog first, at the end of the day I like people to take whatever dog that they have, won or lost, home and feel that the dog has won Best in Show, I don't think there should be any difference whether the dog has won or lost in the show"
SUPERCAPTION: John Shaw, Hong Kong Kennel Club Secretary
Dogs outside of the main show were invited to take part in a "best-dressed dog" competition.
Surprisingly this dog in a kimono lost to the casually-dressed dog in a shirt and jeans, a five-month old shih tzu called Donald.
SOUNDBITE: (Cantonese)
"Because it turned cold last night and my dog really doesn't like the cold, I tried to find thick clothes, jeans and shirt"
SUPERCAPTION: Alice Ng, Dog Owner
Some say that owners look like their dogs.
And so the Kennel Club operated a competition for the person who most looked like their pet.
Fifteen-year old Yu Wing-man didn't seem displeased to be told that she looked very like her carefully styled pet.
Dog breeder Miyagawa Takahiro flew in from Japan to judge the final, which was won by one of the smallest dogs on show, a Pomeranian.
Dogs in this category are judged on their "conformity to breed standard" - how perfectly they fit the ideal description of their type.
SOUNDBITE:
"I like the way they move, their gestures, and this kind of long-haired dog is easy to take care of, and he understands humans"
SUPERCAPTION: Kong Wing-on, Best of show winner
Tiny Pomeranians are one of the most popular dogs in Hong Kong as they easily fit in to life in the city's cramped apartments.
But their long hair means that in Hong Kong's sweltering summers they need to be kept in an air conditioned room.
Fortunately enthusiastic owners say they will do anything to keep their pets happy and in top dog condition.
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