Chattanooga: Camp Jordan dog show shows handlers’ passion for pets

A dog is more than a companion or a backyard buddy for professional dog handler Karan Aurelius, of Signal Mountain, Tenn. Dogs are her passion, her calling and her livelihood.

“You can’t be a spoiled rotten ‘I-want-a prize-every time’-person if you’re going to show dogs,” she said.

Ms. Aurelius and her client’s show dog Siggie, a 5-year-old bloodhound, were among the 2,400 dog-handler pairs that competed this weekend at the Chattanooga Kennel Club dog show at Camp Jordan in East Ridge.

The animals were coiffed to perfection and held their heads high as they showed their gaits to the judges, who included American Kennel Club board Chairman Ron Menaker.

It was Mr. Menaker who had the honor of selecting the “best in show” dog, a saluki named Yosef, who drew enthusiastic applause from the otherwise quiet audience.

Siggie, who took the “best of breed” title today, was not selected to compete for the more prestigious title on Sunday.

Ms. Aurelius was nonchalant about the outcome of the competition.

“It’s just another day at the office,” she said.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.