Dogs ready to strut and shine this September at Melbourne Royal Show

Last year, Helen Chen, the proud owner of Estonian-breed Smiling Snowball Luminous Pandora (known as “Panda”), carved an astonishing legacy in the world of Samoyed breeding and showing, earning the coveted "Best in Show" title for two consecutive years.

"She's [Panda] the record holder of Best in Shows for the bitches in the breed around the world, winning 68 all breeds Best in Show titles, both in Europe and locally,” said Helen.

“Winning a class at the Melbourne Royal Show has always been on my bucket list, but to win the Best In Show prize - twice - was just unbelievable, especially since no other dog has ever won it consecutively.”

“It’s just such a prestigious show,” said Helen. “If you can get something at the Melbourne Royal it's a real testimony to what you have bred and what you have achieved.”

James Carmac knows the feeling. In 1972, as a nervous 16-year-old showing his parents’ Australian Silky Terrier at his first Melbourne Royal Centenary Show, he experienced what many dream about for years - Best in Show from a pool of 5000 dogs.

“My parents bred him, his name was Dulcannina Kansas and he was the first Australian Silky Terrier to win Best in Show at a royal show,” James says.

“I just burst into tears when they announced it, I’ll never forget it.”

Mornington Peninsula local and poodle exhibitor, Josephine Turnley, says hers is a breed that has many winning qualities, not least intelligence and beauty.

One thing they are not, however, is low maintenance - the beauty regime on the day prior to competition alone takes up to five hours.

“You start preparing the coat in how you’re bathing, drying and trimming many weeks before the exhibition. About three days before the show the dog would have all its points clipped and then you need to bathe and dry the day before,” Josephine says.

The primping doesn’t end there though. In the final two hours before competition, Josephine puts the dog’s top knot in bands, spraying it up, and doing the final trim.

Rare breeds like the Dandie Dinmont Terrier will be on show, with the likes of Melbourne Royal champion exhibitor Dr. Emma Greenway of Boronia.

“The pinnacle of success in Australia is to win Best in Show at Melbourne Royal,” Emma says.

“It has a very high value in my mind to be part of it, and to win it. It just has such a buzz about it.”

Emma flew to England to purchase her first Dandie Dinmont before travelling the world learning about the breed. Today she has a string of Melbourne Royal Show accolades to her name. The highlight? Winning Best in Show with a Dandie by the name of Harry, who later shone on the American show circuit.

“They’re wise souls with a face that suggests there’s more than meets the eye. They’re super laid back, quite gregarious little characters and they just love a cuddle. If you pick them up they just turn to a sack of potatoes in your arms,” she says.

Competitors will be performing under the guidance of committed competition stewards, the likes of Vermont local Roger Bridgford who hasn’t missed a show in over 65 years.

Roger started showing Welsh Corgis at the Melbourne Royal Show in 1945, Golden Retrievers in 1954 and in 1957 found himself back in the ring as a 19-year-old steward of the prestigious competitions.

“You’re there to help the competitors, from the very experienced to the novices and offer assistance to the judges. You pick up how each judge operates after the first day and you make sure the competitors understand what the judges want,” Roger explains.

While the fanfare and beauty of meticulously groomed dogs are a key highlight, there’s also the testing of obedience, agility and games, according to Melbourne Royal Senior Manager Show Competitions - Equestrian & Dogs, Martin Garoni.

“In addition to the spectacular variety of dog breeds and pups on show, the highly entertaining action dog program featuring rally, obedience, agility, jumping and games will also test the abilities and stamina of the most skillful canines and their handlers,” Martin explains.

“Nowhere else can people experience such varied and vibrant family-friendly entertainment , and a family trip to the Melbourne Royal Show wouldn’t be complete without viewing the dog show in the Dog Pavilion.”

Dog lovers will also be treated to a wildly entertaining Superdog Spectacular Show featuring a high-flying combination of extreme dog sports, tricks and stunts as a variety of Australian Champion Dogs will show off their skills across four 30-minute shows a day at Town Square.

Dog Show information and entry details can be found at Melbourne Royal All Breeds Championship Show.