Dogs on show suit all tastes

MAGIC MOMENT: Aimee Hamlin of Bulls has a cuddle with her miniature pinscher, Ivy, at Wembley Park on Saturday. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 140315WCSMDOGS3

There were big ones, small ones, white ones, black ones and everything in between.

The dogs came in all shapes and sizes at the Wanganui Kennel Society's annual championship shows at Wembley Park over the weekend.

Society president Rosalie Martin, said 379 dogs were entered for the shows.

"The numbers are a little bit down from last year, but that's no different from shows around the country at the moment."

There were two separate championship shows, one on Saturday and on Sunday.

Mrs Martin said dogs - and their owners - came from all over the North Island and as far away as Christchurch.

"We had good numbers from Wanganui, a large crowd from Auckland, and a few from Christchurch."

Fine weather all weekend kept everybody's spirits high.

"The judges came from Australia and they were very impressed by the standards of the dogs here," Ms Martin said.

She said Saturday's best in show was an Irish setter from Auckland; while a bichon frise, also from Auckland, was Sunday's best in show.