Madison Gardea, 10, shows off her junior handler skills with her Vizsla at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
Gabriel Rangel, handler of the winning canine at the recent Westminster Dog Show in New York, was among several Westminster veterans at the Bing Crosby Exhibit Hall.
“It feel great,” the 56-year-old Rialto man said of claiming top prize in that prestigious event. “It’s incredible. I can’t even describe it.”
His wire fox terrier named King, the Best of Show winner at the 143rd annual Big Apple event, wasn’t judged in Del Mar. Rangel brought a different dog.
“There are 3,000 dogs there,” he said of the Feb. 12 Westminster show, “and everyone goes with the same thought. And you hope it’s the right time.”
“It’s like Little League vs. the Super Bowl,” said Rangel, a terrier expert who’s been working with dogs since he was 14.
He praised the personality of terriers.
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The top winning prize was on display at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo by Chris Stone
A Pekingese looks to his handler for directions in the ring at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris stone
A handler is delighted with the first place win for his Pekingese at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Vizsla sprints through the agility course at the Silver Bay Kennel Club Show. Vizslas can run up to 40 mph. Photo by Chris Stone
A Bedlington Terrier watches the agility competition with its owner. Photo by Chris Stone
A Bedlington terrier hangs on tight to mom while waiting its turn to compete. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog easily clears the bar in the agility circle at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
Blue, an Old English Sheepdog with one blue and one brown eye, competed in the Westminster Dog Show as well as the Silver Bay Kennel Club competition. Photo by Chris Stone
A poodle gets a dental inspection by judge Malcolm Moore. Photo by Chris Stone
Ribbons are readied for winners in the group competition of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo by Chris Stone
A Cocker spaniel with its hair flowing sprints across the judging ring at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
The long hair of an Irish setter flows while it runs across the judging ring. Photo by Chris Stone
Karen Berry receives a ribbon from judge Marianne Klinkowski for her Borzoi that won best of breed. Photo by Chris Stone
A standard poodle gets ready for a good hair day in the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
An English bulldog has its own kissing booth in the Meet the Breed section of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A little girl admires a Cocker spaniel in the Meet the Breed section of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
Visitors take a hands-on approach to showing affection for a mastiff in the Greet the Breed section of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Chinese Crested dog seeks attention on the sidelines of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
Savannah Mechling, a junior handler of her 140-pound bullmastiff, proudly shows off her ribbon at the Silver Bay Kennel Cub show. Photo by Chris Stone
A Rhodesian ridgeback takes a look at the sign as it competes in the obedience portion of the show. Photo by Chris Stone
A poodle gets some finishing touches with hair spray before the competition. Photo by Chris Stone
A Golden retriever manages the weave portion of the agility judging at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A Samoyed clears a gate in the agility judging of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Handlers line up their dogs for judging at the Silver Bay Kennel Cub show. Photo by Chris Stone
An Afghan hound and its owner get wind-blown outside the Silver Bay Kennel Cub show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
Booths full of accessories for dogs and their owners were lined up outside the Big Crosby Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo by Chris Stone
A Bichon Frise sits up for a photo after a grooming at the Silver Bay Kennel Club show in Del Mar. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog sprints through a tunnel in the agility judging of the Silver Bay Kennel Club show. Photo by Chris Stone
A dog is startled as a smaller canine comes over for a visit outside the ring. Photo by Chris Stone
Dogs competed in two exhibit halls at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Photo by Chris Stone
“They’re great,” he said. “They’re outgoing, show love and work with you.”
Chris Pesche also competed at Westminster. She’s the owner of an old English sheepdog named Blue (because one of his eyes is that color).
“The sheer volume of spectators was amazing,” Pesche said of the Madison Square Garden crowd. “I have never been in a city where people enjoy dogs as much as they do.”
Judging on Saturday took place in obedience, agility and breed.
The Silver Bay Kennel Dog Show is free but fairgrounds parking is $15. (Head to the O’Brien, Bing Crosby and Exhibit Halls.)
It concludes Sunday, with events from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., including “Meet 50 AKC Breeds” in the Seaside Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 50 “doggie boutiques” sell pet supplies and gifts.
The Silver Bay Kennel Club, established in 1934, is one of the oldest dog clubs in Southern California.
