Winning Best in Show at last weekend’s All Breed and Dobermann Specialty Dog Show was a highlight among Nojat’s many other wins, including Reserved Best in Show and Best Locally Bred Dog, for the female Dobermann. For her owner-handler, Daalon Myers, it all came down to the bond they’ve built.
Nojat, a two-year-old, has been in training with Myers for the past year and six months. She’s competed before, but last weekend marked her first time winning Best Dog in Show.
At the last corporate area dog show – the Jamaica Kennel Club’s 100th All Breed Championship, held at the Mona Hockey Field in February – Myers said that based on Nojat’s performance, and especially after she won the Dobermann Open Class Competition, he knew the spark had been lit for a future win.
“I started showing her last year. It’s my first dog that I’ve entered into a show. Based on the placement of the last show, I was confident [that we would win this time], maybe not for best in show, but I was expecting some sort of placement,” Myers, who had number 245 in the competition, held on the lawns of Immaculate Conception High School, told Saturday Living.
“[For competing,] I pretty much was self-taught, and I have to say kudos to members of the club who have got me in and showed me the ins and outs of day showing,” he added.
Myers bought Nojat at just eight weeks old from another member of the Jamaica Kennel Club. He now owns several dogs, and it was after making a few repeat purchases that members of the club encouraged him to start entering local dog shows and competitions – many of whom have also taken on a mentorship role in his journey.
“I just love dogs and I used to come all the time and watch the shows, and seeing the competition, I said, ‘Mi affi get involved in a dat!’,” Myers happily said, adding “[Now, finally winning,]is the reward for hardworking.”
FIRST MAJOR VICTORY
Myers, a procurement practitioner by profession and one of the youngest dog handlers in competition, said he was overjoyed when the announcement was made about Nojat’s first major victory – especially since he only started competing a year ago and was able to beat some of the industry’s heavyweights and established breeders.
During the competition, Myers repeatedly tapped Nojat’s tail and tossed a tennis ball into a direction he wanted her to focus on. When asked if these actions played a role in his victory, he explained, “I did it to make her look alert and get her ears to stand up. And, I tap her tail to bring it up [for competing purposes].”
Winning the top trophy also required emotional support. His wife, Janell, was on the sidelines of the competition ring, cheering on her husband and their dog. Given her close connection to them, she shared that she has no choice but to care for them passionately as well.
Myers, a lifelong pet-lover with a particular affection for dogs, credits his father’s care for their family dogs during his childhood and teenage years as the foundation of his passion.
When he’s not working his nine-to-five, Myers spends his time with his dogs, training them to compete and caring for their well-being, grooming, and more.
His next major goal is to become a dog breeder, starting later this year with two of his female dogs, including Nojat.
Before announcing the Best Dog in Show at the event, the chief judge from Mexico, Guillermo Cavazos de las Fuentes, briefly explained that he chose Myers and Nojat because of the sportsmanship displayed on the field and their respect for the competition.
ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com
