Dog show stuff

So what are Rajapalayams, Kombais and Chippiparais?  Nope.  Not some kind of East Indian spice.  They are actually dogs - native to India.  And while India does, in some areas, have a horrid practice of eating dogs (I cannot believe I am even typing this!),  they apparently do have many people who LOVE dogs and and they even have championship dog shows.  There was one last weekend featuring 209 dogs from 40 different breeds - and a large number of the competing breeds were native breeds like those  I just listed.  The Rajapalayam is a white colored sight hound - initially bred for hunting boar.  They are apparently VERY good guard dogs. They were almost extinct - but efforts by the Kennel Club in India have worked to save the breed.  The Kombai is also another boar hound.  They are supposed to be intelligent and very loyal pets - but they are also guard dogs.  They say that in demanding circumstances they will fight to the death.  Yikes.  And the  Chippiparai is another sighthound believed to have come from Salukis.  They say they look a bit like the Sloughi. They are also rare, but efforts, again, are being made to save them.

And speaking of dog shows, the big show in New York city is soon coming up - the Westminster Kennel Club show - February 13 and 14.  While people in the US can watch the show on TV, it can be tricky to get the show here in Canada.  Last year my human had to add a channel to our cable subscription to see it.  And this year, she had to add a different channel.  It is being shown on a Car Racing channel.  Seriously.  She was a bit suspect that it was the correct channel - but apparently it is.  We will all be watching for the PONs and the Picards.  And any other dogs friends who may be at the show.  We can hardly wait - I hope she makes popcorn. And you KNOW after it is over, we will all have to practice "dog show standing" together.  We do it to humor her.  And of course, for the treats.

Have a good one!