RKA show draws top dogs to city (+video&pics)

Levin's Martyn Slade with his Best in Show winning Dobermann, Supreme Champion Martyn Comes Around. Photo / Ben Fraser

Rotorua experienced an influx of pooches as competitive breeders flocked to the city to show off their prized pets.

The Rotorua Kennel Association (RKA) held its main event for the year - a two-day Conformation All Breeds Dog Show for pure breeds.

Over the weekend breeds of all ages and sizes were entered into one of seven categories where they were put on show for a panel of judges. The categories were toys, terriers, gundogs, non-sporting, hounds, utility and working.

Day two of the event saw the winning pooches of each of the seven categories go head-to-head for the Best in Show.

Levin's Martyn Slade took out the title with his sleek dobermann, Supreme Champion Martyn Comes Around.

Image 1 of 5: Conformation All Breeds Dog Show at the Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Mr Slade has been competing with dobermanns for 45 years and said winning Best in Show was always a pleasant surprise.

"Best in Show can be quite difficult because if you get a judge who picked a winner from another category, often they pick that winner as the Best in Show winner.

"However it is always pleasant when you do win and he'll be getting some treats tonight."

The association's president, Ros Mihaka, said she was pleased with this year's event.

"We had a great number of public coming through and showing some good support.

"The number of competitors was slightly down this year from previous years but it was still a good turnout nonetheless."