Fun match generates funds 4 Paws

Saturday morning, Eva Werschky's focus was the tufts of white hair on the hindquarters of her dog, Nala.

Werschky spends four hours getting herself and Nala, a 2-year-old standard poodle, ready to be presented to judges.

"I think it's fun showing her, but it takes quite a bit of time to get me ready and her ready," Werschky said.

Nala was one of 40 dogs taking part in the 4 Paws 4-H Club fundraiser at Fuji Park on Saturday. The contest included confirmation judging for adult dogs and puppies, as well junior showmanship and obedience judging.

Club co-leader Lori Eustis said the club choose this fundraiser because "we are a dog club so it fit and it gives the kids experience with the judges and the scoring that they use."

Many local breeders and handlers use events like this as a warm-up for bigger events, including a dog show put on by the American Kennel Club in Sacramento next month.

That's why Abby Tinseth, 17, brought the dog she was training down from Lake Tahoe. Tinseth is training Tia, a 2-year-old shiba inu, for AKC shows later in the year.

The work paid off, as Tia earned her first accolades, winning Adult Conformation Best of Show.

"I had a feeling she might do really well, but this is still her first best of show, so we will keep training her," Tinseth said.

Terry Popish, of Graeagle, Calif., wasn't interested in awards, she just wanted to acclimate Hummer, her 1-year-old St. Bernard, to life at competitions. The dog competes in obedience and agility competitions, and Popish is hoping to enter him in weight-pulling competitions later this year.

To be successful, the 125-pound puppy must pull at least 10 times his weight, meaning the goal is 1,250 pounds.

Popish said Hummer still has some growing to do first.

"He's a little on the small side for a St. Bernard, but he's still growing," Popish said.

The money generated from the event is used to buy supplies and allow the group's 15 members to attend the county and state fairs.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.