From Invercargill to Auckland, or from Chihuahua to rottweiler, the dog handlers and canines cutting a caper at the North Otago A&P showgrounds at the weekend were good enough for Crufts.
Timaru's Nigel Trainor, who took Saturday's best in show ribbon with his pet English springer spaniel Pepe said the top dogs at Oamaru would have done well at the international dog show held yearly in the United Kingdom, which touts itself as the world's greatest dog show.
And he should know - he has judged all over the world.
But the thing about South Island dog shows, he said, is they are ''more relaxed'' and the fine balance between competitiveness and camaraderie tips the balance in favour of everyone looking after each other.
North Otago Kennel Association secretary and treasurer Raelene Guthrie said 325 dogs showed up for five shows over the weekend.
She said the attitude of some of the top dog handlers allowed the show atmosphere to remain relaxed, because for some owners, regardless of where their dog placed, they would still be taking the best dog home.
''It is very competitive, but ... you've got to have that attitude.''
On Saturday, all-breeds judge Teena Sloane, of Tasmania - one of four judges and one of three from Australia - judged working dogs, utility dogs and non-sporting dogs and agreed there were a lot of ''top dogs'' at the show. It came down to how an individual judge interpreted the standards, or matched the individual to each breed's ''blueprint''.
''We're looking at the virtues, rather than the faults,'' she said.
The association shared the grounds with the North Otago Dog Training Club which hosted about 150 dogs for its agility championship show at the weekend.
