Chattanooga Kennel Club's All-Breed Dog Show at Camp Jordan draws from near and far

photo Babbi Dilbeck grooms Katy, her Blue Mortal Rough Collie, during the Chattanooga Kennel Club's All-Breed Dog Show Sunday at Camp Jordan.
photo Dogs and their owners line up Sunday before being inspected by judges during the Chattanooga Kennel Club's All-Breed dog show at Camp Jordan in East Ridge.
photo Jerry Davis of the Chattanooga Kennel Club poses with his dog Skyee on Sunday after placing second in the non-sporting group during the Chattanooga Kennel Club's All-Breed Dog Show at Camp Jordan.

Thirty-five year-old Danielle Frykman lives with her parents because she doesn't earn enough money in the profession she loves in order to be self-supporting.

But from the first time she stepped in the ring as a dog handler, she knew she could be satisfied doing nothing else.

"It's an integral part of my life," said Frykman, who drove from her hometown in northern Illinois to participate in the annual Chattanooga Kennel Club Inc. Dog Show this weekend.

Frykman, who also breeds dogs, was among hundreds of people participating and spectating. The event showcased nearly 800 canines, including a black Puli handled by Linda Pitts of Knoxville who won Best in Show.

People came from as far as California to participate in the event.

The Kennel Club gives bragging rights and titles, but no money for winning.

Show chair Heidi Thompson said she wants people to learn about dogs from the event while they watch the competition.

She encourages people who consider getting a dog to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Breeders know the health issues that come with each dog breed, she says. They know how to breed the dog to best decrease health risks.

The dog show is also a place to learn about breeds and their temperaments. Every breed is not for everybody, says Thompson.

This weekend, dogs showed off their muscle structure, shinning coats and bone density. Some ran lure courses where they showcased speed, coordination and sense of smell.

At the end of the two-day event, organizers took a break under a shed near the arena while dog handlers in a gravel parking lot loaded animals into mobile homes and trucks.

A low, deep roar could be heard from one of the makeshift cages.

That's when a 110-pound woman loaded a dog twice her size, with a face as big as her body, into her mobile home.

Terry Smith is the dog handler for a 243-pound Mastiff called Gold Leaf Troubles Coming. That particular dog, which has a 36-inch neck collar, is one of the top-ranked among kennel clubs in the country, said Smith.

"You've got to have total control. He knows I am in charge," she said when asked how she handles a dog so large.

Connie Banitt showed off her nearly 2-year-old Havanese with red and green rubber bands styling its long dark and white hair.

When she loses a show she gets so frustrated that she says she never wants to compete again. But when she wins, the pride and joy is indescribable, she said.

"You put your whole heart into it," said Banitt.

She watched the dog shows on television and had no idea that she could participate in one and that some shows were local until she heard of the Chattanooga Kennel Club.

Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.

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