In the
Fiddler's
House
tions, evaluating dogs on appearance,
obedience and adherence to breed
standards set by the American Kennel
Club.
From there, the dogs advance to
one of seven categories of dogs, such
as the toy group which features small-
er dogs like toy poodles. The final
competition is held among with win-
ners of the categories for best of show
honors.
To even get the dogs to the compe-
tition, much less win, requires owners
to spend years preparing for the center
rings: hounding the dogs on obedi-
ence training, doggedly attending to
the canine's diet and exercise routines
and sniffing out vast amounts of infor-
mation about breed standards.
Owners make no bones about the
money that is spent on the way to the
champion podium; annually each •
spends thousands of dollars on breed-
ing, veterinarian bills, coiffing, train-
ing, travel and entrance fees that also
precede competition day.
"There is no money in this. It is
strictly a hobby, and a very expensive
one at that," said Silverman.
Still, the exhibitors claim that while
competition can be dog- eat-dog, they
are not barking up the wrong tree.
Most form close relationships with
other exhibitors outside of the show
ring.
"For me, this has been a chance to
travel to other cities that I might never
have made it to and meet fine people I
never would have met," said
Silverman.
Others see this work as a labor of
love for the animals they cherish and a
hobby they adore.
"There is a lot of work involved
and a lot of care involved, but there is
an emotional bonus in this," said
Hyman, a 28-year veteran of the dog-
show circuit and owner of numerous
champions.
"There is an unconditional love
that dogs give and that is what makes
it worth it all."
The Detroit Kennel Club Dog Show
will be held 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, and Sunda)
March 8, at Cabo Center in
Detroit. Admission each day is $9
for adults, $6fbr seniors and chil-
dren under 12, and $25 fir a fami-
ly (two adults and three children),
For more information about the
show, call (313) DKC-SHOW
Tickets are available in advance
through Hudson's or Ticketmaster or
can be purchased at the door.
Join Itzhak Perlman
and guests Fyvush
Finkel and Red
Buttons for a
rollicking evening
of klezmer music
on Detroit Public
Television.
6:30 PM SUNDAY,
MARCH 8
Detroit
1.1 Public Television
H oSi&Garden
1 % A
SHOW SERIES
LOBO CENTER
BUILDERS
HOME
ETROIT
FLOWER
SHOW
Admission: Adults - $6.50
Seniors - $4.50; Children 6-12 - $4.00;
Children under 6 admitted FREE;
Family tickets for two adults and accompanying children
available at Farmer jack - $9.00
http://www.builders.org
THUR. MAR. 12, 2-lOpm
FRI. MAR. 13, 2-10pm
SAT. MAR. 14, 10am-lOpm
SUN. MAR. 15, 10am-6pm
FEATURING HUNDREDS OF
EXHIBITS—PLUS:
STEVE
THOMAS
Host of PBS'
"This Old House"
(Fri. Sr Sat.)
JERRY BAKER
"America's
Master Gardener"
GARY KOLLER
PBS —Victory
Garden"
guest presenter
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR HOME AND GARDEN
■ Kitchen Sr Bath Show ■ Detroit Flower Show
■ Pool, Spa Sr Recreation Show ■ HGTV's "Fix-It-Up!"
Pat Simpson (Sat. Sr Sun.) ■ 'Grilling Buddies' Mad
Dog & Merrill ■ Flower Creation Stations
■ A display of over 25,000 tulips, daffodils and
hyacinths ■ House of Nails and Treasure Chest
contests ■ Live broadcasts of WXYT's Glenn
Haege and Rick Bloom ■ National Kitchen Sr Bath
Association's Jim Krengel
Detroit A'Bloom
Sponsored By: Standard
Federal
3/6
1998
99