The Return of the Agric Dog Show

Thousands from across the country converged on the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds over the weekend for the annual event in the Cayo District. There was a lot to see and do, and of course plenty to spend on. The weekend also included loads of entertainment for the grown folks and their families. One such event was the return of the dog show. The show was a featured attraction at the annual event about a decade ago. That is until it was discontinued even before the COVID-19 pandemic. But one dog lover at the Ministry of Agriculture decided to breathe new life into the event. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Thousands showed up to the National Agriculture and Trade Show over the weekend in Belmopan. The annual event draws visitors looking for deals, good food, and entertainment. The two-day rodeo show is a huge attraction. Horse racing was featured for the first time this year. Another highlight of the weekend was the return of the Agric Dog Show. K9 enthusiasts gathered on the northern end of the grounds to show off their dogs and win some prizes. Omar Phillips, First Class Clerk at the Ministry of Agriculture, organized the event.

 

Omar Phillips, Coordinator, Agric Dog Show

“Personally I am an avid dog lover and I know there is a growing popularity for dogs in Belize City and the rest of the areas. So, it was just and idea threw out to the NATS committee and they liked the idea and ran with it, so I ended up coordinating this event.”

 

Day one was all about the bully showdown. Bully owners from across the country brought out their canine companions for the show. There were tents, water bowls and water hoses set up across the area to keep the dogs hydrated and cool under the heat of the day. We sought to find out more about the owners and their dogs, as well as the stigma that is attached to the bully breed.

 

Salvador Martinez, Owner, CashMoney Kennel

“This dog I have is an American Bully, Standard Class.”

 

Paul Lopez

“He seems very photogenic, and this is his first time competing.”

 

Salvador Martinez

“He likes the camera.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How old is he?”

 

Salvador Martinez

“He is two years. He is Oso Martinez.”

 

Shawn Hyde, Owner, CTV Kennel

“Mufasa is the name, he is and XL Bully.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What makes and XL bully, apart from the obvious size?”

 

Shawn Hyde

“Well you will have to go to the size, an XL bully comes from twenty-one to twenty-three inches, that is why they are XL.  The smaller ones are different size underneath the XL.”

 

Paul Lopez

“When you see a dog like this you would think it is intimidating, but Mufasa is very friendly.”

 

Shawn Hyde

“He is very friendly because of the way he grew up. He grew up as a family pet.”

 

For Yuedy Swaso, breeding and caring for bullies is a way of life for him and his children.

 

Yuedy Swaso, Dog Owner

“This morning we bring out, King Kong, Gia and we got unique.”

 

Paul Lopez

“You have your kids with you.”

Yuedy Swaso

“Deh dah my supporters with me along this journey. They love this. This dah nuh just bout having dogs. Deh dah part of our family. Fih be real with yo, the temperament weh the dogs deh got dah wah big plus for me. Because everybody have this fear about pit bulls. And to be real with yo, the dogs deh humble, deh just look scary, but deh dah good dogs.”

 

Jose Espat, Owner, RCK Kennel

“This dah Maximus, this is an xl American bully. This dah Hazel, this dah wah pocket Bully, and this dah Moca, also a pocket bully. When we do breeding we do selective breeding and it is never about the money, it is about the quality of the dogs, the characteristics of the dogs. A lot of people just breed to breed, but you have to understand that just like humans these dogs also have genes and there are defects that can come about so you have to really be careful how you match the dogs together.”

 

Shawn Hyde’s Mufasa was crowned the grand champion for the bully showdown. Yeudy Swaso and Jose Espat also walked away with prizes from other categories. Day two of the event saw dog owners bring out multiple breeds for the All-Breed Fun Show. Arthur Vellos brought out Leo, a Boerboel. Leo participated in the biggest dog and the best-groomed dog categories.

 

Arthur Vellos, Dog Owner

“I just come support the show and show my breed of dog.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What category will Leo compete in today?”

 

Arthur Vellos

“Well they say large dog, but as you can see he is a one year old puppy, a hundred and sixty pound.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What is it like handling a dog like this, how challenging is it?”

 

Arthur Vellos

“He cool, everything dah how you handle a dog. Any dog could be bad, dah just how you raise them and take care of them you know.”

 

And then there is Fiji, the eleven-year-old poodle and his owner Camille Polanco. Fiji competed in the best-groomed dog category. He was also the only dog to participate in the most obedient dog category. Though he did not heed all the commands Polanco gave, Fiji was obedient to most and received treats as rewards.

Camille Polanco, Dog Owner

“My dog is already a senior, almost eleven years and we decided to enter for fun.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What has it been like having Figi for his lifetime?”

 

Camille Polanco

“The best thing ever. He is the best support, a lot of love, and it also taught me to be patient.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What do you think when you see all these dogs out here today?”

 

Camille Polanco

“It is amazing and it is also an opportunity for him to meet other dogs as well and just to come out and have fun.”

 

Trevlin Williams, Dog Owner

“I have Biggie and Harley outside.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What breeds are they?”

 

Trevlin Williams

“The female is Napoleon Cane Corso with Pitbull and the male is a Napoleon Cane Corso. I bring them out because most people don’t know about my dogs and I the try show them I have a line that I the try keep strong, so I just bring them out mek people see them and get feedback about what they think about them.”

 

Tina, a Miniature Pinscher owned by Tanya Santos was Best in Show on Sunday. The event also included a category for the best pot licker dog that no one participated in. Recino’s Imports Limited is one of the main sponsors of the two-day event.

 

Jaime Recinos, Recino’s Imports Limited

“We first spoke with Omar and he told us what he was doing and wanted to bring across. I said, we are one of the largest distributors of dog food in the country and I said definelty why not and I also wanted to promote my dog food which is Rambocan. Why Rambocan, because it is one of the highest protein dog food in the country.”

 

Omar Phillips, the organizer of the dog show, says next year’s events will be bigger and better. According to Phillips, four shows are being organized across the country leading up to the 2025 Agric Dog Show.

 

Omar Phillps

“The plan is to have at least four smaller shows leading up to this grand show. So after this show I am going to take one week rest and then I am going to plan the next show.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is this like a moving show?”

 

Omar Phillps

“Yes, the next one is going to be down south and then we are going to the north, and then Cayo and the Belize City.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.