Posted on: Tuesday, July 25, 2006
EXPERT ADVICE
History of Dog Shows
By Gerri Cadiz
Dog Shows began in Hawaii in the early 1900's. Honolulu Kennel Club was the earliest known organization. In 1906 it became incorporated as the Hawaiian Kennel Club and held its first dog show under that name.
The "Initial Dog Show" was held on September 6, 7, 8, 1906 at the Skating Rink on Queen Street. There were 105 entries. The purpose of the early dog shows was to get together with fellow dog owners and compare the quality of their dogs. The opportunity to discuss the breeding, the care, and the training and the general camaraderie with fellow dog owners was of utmost importance. Each winner received a hand-lettered diploma in addition to the ribbon prize of blue, red, white.
Trophies awarded were unique and probably very useful but quite different than those offered today. Some examples of the prizes were a box of cigars, a handbag, one week's shaving at Waverly Barber shop, three bottles of whiskey, a sack of Holly flour, a pair of trousers, $10 in drugs from the Hollister Drug Company, a rifle, and a punching bag!
Dogs were identified by breed and owner but often the sire and dam (father and mother) were unknown. Today this information is of great interest and required to be included with the entry.
Breeds most numerous were the Fox Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Bull Terriers, and Pointers. The judge for the event was not identified in the catalogue.
A show catalogue from 1923 indicated an entry of 145 participating over a period of two days. The judge was John Fletcher of Calgary, Canada. The popular breeds were Airedales, Bostons, Fox Terriers, and Pointers. One of the members and an exhibitor of Great Danes was Harold K. L. Castle, who went on to serve as president of the Hawaiian Kennel Club from 1933 until 1937. He was instrumental in gaining American Kennel Club approved dog shows in Hawaii. The first AKC championship dog show was held on December 9-10, 1933 with an entry of 206. Best in Show was won by a Doberman Pinscher owned by Ernest Lau.
Arthur K.Y. Zane was one of the members of Hawaiian Kennel Club and participants in the 1933 show. He served the Club in one capacity or another as a member of the board, president, secretary, or show chairman until his retirement in the '70's. He was the first American Kennel Club All-Breed judge of Asian ancestry. He was a popular conformation and obedience judge spreading aloha across the mainland United States and aiding many in bringing quality dogs to Hawaii.
World War II interrupted the annual Hawaiian Kennel Club all-breed dog shows for five years, 1942 i1946. However in the late '40's shows resumed and many individual breed clubs were organized. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club to offer 'Specialty Shows' i shows that were open to exhibits of one specific breed as opposed to the All-Breed shows that are open to any breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Dog shows continued to flourish and by 1970 were drawing entries of over 600. A second all-breed club, Windward Hawaiian Dog Fanciers Association, was recognized by AKC in 1975, and a third, West Oahu Kennel Club, was recognized in the early 1990's.
Since then the interest in purebred dog competitions has increased. Competition in junior showmanship, obedience, rally, agility, and earthdogs trials is offered by various AKC clubs. The mission of these many clubs is not only to provide healthy competition, but also to promote responsible dog ownership and healthy breeding practices.
Today's shows are all held in accordance with American Kennel Club Rules & Regulations. Dogs entered must be registered with AKC, judges must be approved by AKC, and owners must be in good standing with AKC. The three all-breed clubs offer four shows each; most of the nearly thirty Specialty Clubs offer two shows a year; and additional activities are offered in obedience, rally, and agility trials.
Shows have changed a great deal since 1906. Today's dogs and owners compete for less exotic prizes but like the early shows the important aspect of the dog show is the comparison of quality and the determination of such by a recognized authority i the judge. Judges are brought in from all over the world. While most are from the mainland United States, we have had visitors from Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, and Scandinavia. Each of the clubs is dedicated not only to putting on its show but also to providing information on responsible dog ownership, training, and care.
Hawaiian Kennel Club is celebrating its 100th year anniversary at its September 1 & 2, 2006 All-Breed Dog Show at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The popular breeds have changed with the largest number of entries coming from the Toy breeds and Retrievers and the trophies of etched native wood are a symbol of winning rather than a prize. But like the "Initial Dog Show" the pride of ownership and general camaraderie still exist.
Gerri Cadiz is Publisher/Editor of Ilio magazine and President of the Hawaiian Kennel Club and a Cocker Spaniel breeder/exhibitor.
