Labradors strut their stuff for aspiring dog judges and handlers in Chehalis 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a judge at a dog show?

Two members of the Mount Rainier Labrador Retriever Club (MRLRC) had a chance to find out last Saturday, May 11, at Lintott-Alexander Park in Chehalis.

The organization hosted its annual “B-Match,” a practice event to prepare members for the world of dog shows. Owners and breeders put their enthusiastic labradors through their paces while novice judges Kristine Powell and Tamaria Hartman assessed their “conformation” — how well they each met American Kennel Club breed standards. These include specific requirements in such areas as size, physical proportion, coat, coloration, movement and temperament.

Labrador retrievers were initially bred for duck hunting in cold climates, but their gentle and loving personality has made them one of the favorite breeds for service dogs and family pets, according to MRLRC

The Mount Rainier Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 2020 and has become a large and active presence in the Pacific Northwest, with members in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho.

“Dedicated to supporting and promoting breeding programs to continue the quality of the breed, the MRLRC coordinates with other clubs to sponsor competitive dog shows for conformation, obedience, hunting and agility,” the organization stated in a news release.

Last year, the club was chosen to co-host the National Labrador Retriever Show, which was held in October at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. Entries came from all over the country for the weeklong event.

Anyone interested in learning more about the club can do so online at https://mrlrc.org .

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