DOG SHOW: 824 ANIMALS COMPETE FOR TOP PRIZES IN CAPE

GIRL AND HER `TOY': Tiffany Rea of Arnold shows her 1-year-old female papillon, Champion Wind-Star's Wind Song, in the toy breeds variety group competition Sunday during the 65th All Breed Dog Show at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. (Photo by Fred Lynch)

Penny, a champion miniature pinscher, pranced in her pen outside the A.C. Brase Arena Building Sunday.

She seemed unaware of her handler's big plans for the day. They hoped the tiny dog would win best in show at the Southeast Missouri Kennel Club Show.

The miniature pinscher, officially named Champion Sunbrook Buckskin Gal, won top honors, beating 823 other dogs from 32 states and four foreign countries.

Before the final rounds of competition, Linda Stevens, the professional dog handler who shows Penny, explained the secret to winning dog shows.

"I handle my dogs like I handle my husband," she said. "I try to make them think it was their idea all along," she said.

"I have to make her happy. If she is happy in the ring, if she is happy doing it, then she will win. Some people take it too seriously, and fun goes out of it for the dog."

She said with the miniature pinscher breed it is particularly important for the dog to have fun.

"It's an animated breed. And we are really showing their brains."

The dogs remain remarkably composed throughout the daylong affair. Stevens said, "They are exposed to people and these situations all the time. Eventually, they lose their inhibitions. That's why it's important to start young."

Traveling with Buddy and Linda Stevens is a 9-week-old puppy, destined for the show ring.

Although the dogs don't belong to the Stevens, they stay with them during the show season.

"We prefer to keep the dogs in our charge. That way we develop a oneness with the dog."

Paula Klingeman of Scott City showed her Yorkshire terrier Sunday morning. Her pet, called Jackie, won his first point in the competition. He won first in class and best opposite sex.

"It takes 15 points to become a champion," Klingeman said. "He is now on his way."

Klingeman has been showing dogs just over two years.

"We had a pet and decided to look for a show quality dog," she said. "I enjoy the competition. Everyone knows they have the winning dog. And I think everyone really loves their dogs."

She said Sunday's dog show helped fire her ambition.

"Maybe some day I'll have one of those $70,000 or $80,000 buses and travel around the country showing dogs."

Show dogs are big business. Owners and handlers travel across the country to dog shows. They spend thousands of dollars on air-conditioned buses and vans to transport the dogs.

Don Carmody, a bank president in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, showed the largest dog in the competition Sunday, a Great Dane called J.P. The dog won third place in the working group at the show.

"We've been at this 21 years," Carmody said. "This is the fourth best in show Great Dane we've had."

He said it's unusual for Great Danes to win best in show. "Some of the little dogs get more recognition."

But Carmody enjoys Great Danes.

"Great Danes are referred to as the gentle giants," Carmody said.

"In the years we've been doing this, we've met a lot of nice people from all over the country, he said. But he admitted it was the competition that kept him in the show ring.

"I compare it to high school wrestling," Carmody said. "You are on your own in the ring and you want to use your time wisely. You don't get a second shot."