50 dogs put their best paw forward as they vie for top honours at speciality show

GERMAN Shepherd lovers gathered at the SJK (C) Peng Bin in Bukit Tengah, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, for the speciality show organised by the German Shepherd Dog Club of Malaysia.

The show, held for the second time by the club, attracted about 50 German Shepherds from various parts of the country.

The dogs were evaluated under various classes — puppy (six to 12 months), junior (12 to 18 months), youth (18 to 24 months), adult (24 months and above) and Malaysian bred (above six months whelped locally).

They were divided into male and female categories.

The show was judged by Louis Donald, specially flown in from Australia, who has been involved in German Shepherd dog shows for 48 years.

Donald has been a judge for such shows in England, South Africa, India, Italy, Singapore, the Philippines, New Zealand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Sinus Vom Eichemplatz, at 25 months, was judged the best male German Shepherd.

Its owner Chong Lee Leong, 38, a businessman from Bukit Mertajam, said he was very happy that his canine had again come in first. It had previously won twice in other shows.

In the female category, 20-month-old Famy was declared champion.

Its owner Chee Ang Seang, 54, a businessman from Tanjung Bungah, said Famy had also won twice previously in other shows.

“I was confident she would make it based on her performance,” he added.

Club president Lawrance Lee said there was an increased interest in German Shepherds in the country.

“This can be seen in the quality of dogs in our Malaysian show rings today, and the feedback and participation on our online web pages,” he said.

Donald said the show was very well organised and luckily the rain stopped after an hour of heavy downpour during the recent event.

“Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs and the number which took part in the show. The breed is going on well here in Malaysia.

“I was in Malaysia 30 years ago and saw tremendous increase of the breed here then,” he added.

He said it was his second time here on the club’s invitation as judge.

Sources: The Star Malaysia