COMEBACK MADE BY DOGGED SHEPHERD

When Kerstin Coke first took Sterling's Houston home to Lawton, Okla., she didn't think the German shepherd would ever show again. But three years later, he has become a champion show dog.

Houston won "Best in Breed" for the herding group Sunday afternoon at the 75th annual All-Breed Dog Show at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. The show is sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club.

Houston had been mistreated by his previous owners and lacked self-confidence and the desire to enter a show ring. But that didn't stop Coke from trying to help the dog.

"I was told that he had come out of a bad situation and that he would never show again and that he had no self-confidence and wouldn't protect," Coke said, adding that Houston is now a championship winner several times over. "This is like a dog's fairy tale."

With lots of love, patience and praise from Coke and her husband, William, Houston began to gain back his self-confidence and show training. With the help of trainers Bonnie and Jerry Killmen, Houston entered the show ring.

Hundreds of dog owners, breeders and handlers watched as more than 700 dogs from all across the United States and two foreign countries entered the rings Sunday.

Each breed of dog was judged based on standards set by the American Kennel Club.

"Each judge applies those standards to what they see in the ring, and whatever comes closest is the winner," said Bill Busch, show chairman.

Judges petted the dogs, checked their coats and teeth and then watched as they pranced around the ring.

Although dog shows don't draw huge crowds of cheering fans, on-lookers whistled and clapped as the dogs passed. Some think the applause helps boost the dogs' self-confidence, others think it helps sway judges.

But the competition was fierce when each group winner entered the ring for a "Best of Show" contest.

Seven dogs from the sporting, hound, working, toy, non-sporting, or herding groups entered the ring for the final show.

Arthur, a Pekingese, won the "Best of Show" award Sunday. He is owned by Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones and Richard Albee of Auburn, Ala.

The show circuit might seem like a pampered lifestyle for a pet, but these dogs and their owners work hard for their titles.

Many dogs begin showing at just a year old; training begins as early as four weeks.

"You start by putting them on a table," said Bonnie Killmen, a professional handler from Oklahoma City, Okla. The grooming tables are a standard sight at shows.

Grooming is an important part of the confirmation shows. Each dog is groomed to perfection before entering the ring. Owners carry brushes and moist towels in the pockets or tucked into their belts to touch up coats before the show.

Some owners could spend at least three hours grooming before a show, Busch said, adding that long-haired breeds require the most effort.

All dogs at the show must be registered with the American Kennel Club, although the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club is not an AKC member. The kennel club applies for an AKC license each year to host the annual show.