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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD Occupational canines of varying breeds will be putting their paws to work on March 17 and March 18 when the Mallary Complex at the Eastern States Exposition will host the Connecticut River Working Group Assignment Dog Show from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event, featuring free admission, is an American Kennel Club Dog Show that will consist of pedigrees that are flown in by their owners from locations across the country. Tom Davies of the Connecticut River Working Dog Assignment Group said there are about 1,000 dogs entered each day and the show is two-days in length. "The winners get points towards the top dogs awards," Davies said. Most dogs in competition at conformation shows are competing for points toward their American Kennell Club (AKC) championships. It takes fifteen points, including two majors (wins of three, four or five points) awarded by at least three different judges, to become an AKC "Champion of Record." "The public is welcome to come. It is a rare opportunity to see so many working dogs in one area at the same time, Davies said. " According to the AKC in literature they state: "The Working Dog Sport (WDS) was developed to reward these most desired traits of mental and physical soundness, courage, reliability, and service. It not only provides a test of a dog's suitability for serving mankind (police work, narcotics detection, homeland defense, etc.), but also offers an extremely valuable tool for the breeder who wishes to maintain these characteristics in all working breeds." |