Top dogs strut their talent at Harding Classic Dog Show in Marion

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·4 min read

One of the top-ranked dogs in the United States walked off with the top prize Sunday at the Harding Classic Dog Show in Marion.

This weekend marked the 127th show presented by the Marion Ohio Kennel Club, which is a member of the American Kennel Club. Founded in 1951, the club offers two dog shows locally each year at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the campus of the Marion County Fairgrounds.

Freddie, a handsome 4-year-old Springer Spaniel bred, owned and shown by Robin Novack from Milan, Illinois, claimed the best in show award at the conclusion of the weekend show Sunday afternoon.

"They do a beautiful job with these shows. We've been coming to these shows for years," said Novack, who has been involved in showing and breeding Springer Spaniels for 35 years. "We frequently come to these shows. They're really good club members here, work really hard, and put on a really nice show."

Dogs of all shapes and sizes were on display last weekend during the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show presented by the Marion Ohio Kennel Club. Club officials said they were very pleased with the participation and quality of this year's show.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes were on display last weekend during the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show presented by the Marion Ohio Kennel Club. Club officials said they were very pleased with the participation and quality of this year's show.

Novack, co-owner and operator of Daybreak Kennel & Professional Handling alongside fellow dog show veteran Laura King, said last weekend's victory marked the 22nd best in show honor for Freddie in his brief career.

"Freddie is currently the number one sporting dog in the country and the number four dog among all breeds," Novack said with a proud smile, noting Freddie is named after, Freddie Mercury, the former frontman for the legendary rock band Queen. "He's doing quite well."

Novack said the Daybreak Kennel team showed 15 dogs in this year's Harding Classic.

Showing dogs, catching up with friends

Dr. Charles Garvin, longtime president of the Marion Ohio Kennel Club, said he and the other club members were very pleased with this year's show.

"We had many good entries and exhibitors came from all over to be here," Garvin said. "I think they very much enjoyed the facility and the hospitality. There are many exhibitors who come to this show year after year. We've been having the same shows in the same place at the same time year after, so they get in the habit of coming to Marion.

Robin Novack and her four-year-old Springer Spaniel Freddie captured best in show at the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show last weekend at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Marion. Freddie is the number one sporting dog in the U.S. and is the number four dog among all breeds.
Robin Novack and her four-year-old Springer Spaniel Freddie captured best in show at the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show last weekend at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Marion. Freddie is the number one sporting dog in the U.S. and is the number four dog among all breeds.

"One thing about our club is that we try to create a very friendly environment for the exhibitors, which they greatly appreciate. Just as we have top dogs that come from all over, we also have top judges who we bring in, which, of course, attracts the top dogs as well."

Garvin, who has bred and showed champion Dalmatians and also served as a judge over the course of his career, said it's always satisfying for the club members to renew friendships and acquaintances with the exhibitors and see how well their dogs are doing from year to year.

"I think the thing that's most enjoyable is to see the people that we've known for years and years, to see them have success and to see the dogs that they have bred, how good those dogs are now," Garvin explained. "When you have people you're friends with and they win, that's always a good feeling as well."

Lisa Bettis and her Afghan Hound exit the show ring on Sunday during the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show. Bettis' dog finished among the top competitors in the hound class.
Lisa Bettis and her Afghan Hound exit the show ring on Sunday during the 127th Harding Classic Dog Show. Bettis' dog finished among the top competitors in the hound class.

Club member Gill Ullom has been a breeder, showman, and judge during a career that has spanned more than 50 years, he said. He has traveled all over North America as well as Australia, The Netherlands, South Africa, and the former East Germany.

"I'm not showing much anymore. I co-breed with a friend of mine in New Albany, and we've done that for years," said Ullom, who resides in Cardington. "But, my friend is 83 and I'm 79, so we're not quite as active anymore. We've got a professional handler that shows our dogs for us."

Miriam Whisler, secretary of the Marion Ohio Kennel Club, said people who want to become involved with the club don't have to be dog breeders or exhibitors. While she and her husband are dog enthusiasts, they neither breed nor show dogs, however, she has lent her organizational skills to the club during the 11 years she and her husband have been members.

"Dr. Charles Garvin and his wife, Lynn, invited my husband and I to join the club," Whisler said. "We have a Belgian Tervuren, a unique breed of dog. The Garvins felt like the club would be a place where I could network with other dog owners. I also was able to use some of my organizational skills to support the club."

The Marion Ohio Kennel Club meets on the second Wednesday of January, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, and November. The meetings are held at 6:45 p.m. at the Marion Public Library, 445 E. Church St. in Marion.

To keep up with the activities of the Marion Ohio Kennel Club, join its Facebook group.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Harding Classic showcases top-performing dogs in North America