Governor's Foot Guard Dog Shows and Stubby Award

This past weekend on February 16 and 17, the First Company Govornor's Foot Guard Athletic Association held their 82nd and 83rd dog shows at the XL Center in Hartford.  These are AKC santioned events.  Nearly 800 dogs competed on Saturday and nearly 900 on Sunday.  The many people who visited the shows were treated to seeing some of the best dogs in the country, some having just competed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.  Also on Sunday, working with the Hartford Obedience Training Club, our show included obedience trials in which approximately 50 dogs competed.  While these shows are about how dogs meet breed standards and perform in the ring for the breed judging or how they obey in the obedience trials, we also took time to honor a canine hero.  Thor, a state police Bloodhound tracking dog and his partner TFC Joseph Morelli were at the show on Sunday so Thor could receive the Foot Guard's Stubby Award for Canine Heroism.  Our Best in Show dog on Saturday was a Bearded Collie name Olivia from Nashville, TN and our Best in Show dog from Sunday was a Lakeland Terrier named Spot from West Groton, MA.  Spot was also our Best in Show dog in 2012.  Our dog shows are annual events and the public is invited to attend.  Visitors get to go backstage and meet the dogs and handlers in person.  It's a great opportunity to learn more about your favorite breed or about showing dogs.  Some of the proceeds of the show are used to fund two scholarships at the University of Connecticut for pre-veterinary students.  Visit www.governorsfootguard.com/dogshow to learn more about our show.