Pawfect day for all at championship dog show in Adare
Nathan Quinn and Craig Bannon with Thara at the show. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Dog lovers had a 'pawsome' time in Limerick amid the myriad barks, treats, and brushing stations at the 95th All Breed Championship Dog Show in Adare.
For one Tipperary family, a green ribbon meant a great deal as young Nathan Quinn tragically lost one of his dogs on Wednesday.
As his girl Thara won, he could not hold back his tears — and got a warm embrace from his loved ones — a 'pawfect' send-off for his late buddy.
Craig Bannon, who was showing Thara on behalf of Nathan, told the : “We were delighted to get the green star and Best of Breed, and it was poignant because his owner lost his male Cane Corso yesterday.
"It’s fitting for him today to see his girl go in and get the Best of Breed”.
Organised by the Limerick and District Canine Club, the dog show attracted dog owners from across Ireland, the UK, and further afield to the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel.
This year, over 900 dogs and 260 breeds participated in the 'puplifting' event.
Adare is one of the four stops for those partaking in the Munster Circuit, with other dog shows taking place in Clonmel, Killarney, and Tralee.
Tanya Waugh made her way from Cork, alongside her Great Dane puppy, Robyn.
“We love the breed, and we just go around showing; we’re just passionate about it,” Ms Waugh said.
“We compete all the time, we enjoy the company, the craic, and the dogs enjoy the day out as well.”
Cork woman Alison O’Reilly brought her five-month-old puppy Ambrose, a toy poodle. For her, the best part is the “colourful social element”.
“One thing people don’t realise about dog shows is that they’re actually quite fun. It’d be easy to look in from the outside and say ‘It’s so strange, you’re running around a dog in a circle’.
"But there’s a huge social element to it. A lot of people go into shows; they’re travelling around the world, judging and have a wide circle of friends — not just from where they live,” she explained.
Before chatting to the , young Beatrice Davis from Galway was sharing a chip (or two) with her Scottish Greyhound puppy.
Speaking of her dogs, she said: “They’re very laid-back. We’d let them round around for 10 minutes, and they’ll be out for the rest of the day, sleeping. They’re very, very chill; they get on with most dogs, I’ve yet to find one they don’t like.”
For 40 years, Wicklow woman Margaret Morris has been taking part in dog shows with her friends. How does one become a champion?
“We all need a green star for making up an Irish champion, but we have to get seven of them. So we go around to the different shows, and if you get the best dog or the best female, each dog and each female gets a green star.
"And when you get seven of those, you send them in, and the Irish Kennel Club then will send you out a certificate stating that your dog is an Irish champion,” she explained.
The dog show is also a fun day out, and not everyone competes.
Alongside her friend Matty O’Connell, Doireann Cregan brought her cockapoo Sparkles to Adare for a bit of dog-watching.
“She loves belly rubs,” Doireann smiled. “Most of the time she’s very lazy.”
Ruth Byers and her father Gerard travelled down from Co Down to show their golden retrievers, Phoebe and Didi.
“I also do the Irish circuit; it’s a holiday for us all. We come down, it’s social, you get to spend some time with your dogs, have a couple of dog shows in between. It’s just good craic."
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