Danny, a three-year-old English springer spaniel show dog, is described by his owners as laid back and cuddly when at his home in Waterford. But as soon as he walks through the gate and into the show ring, owner Nancy Bitters says "he just turns it on. It's like the switch flips to the on position and he's a different dog."

That was the case last week when Danny showed for the first time at The Westminster Kennel Club 139th Annual Dog Show.

"Magical is the only word I can use to describe it," said Bitters. "Danny showed really, really well. (He) had cameras in his face all day. It was crazy but it was fun. It was a nice way to showcase (my) dog."

Excited as she was, this was not the Bitters's first trot around the Westminster show ring. Danny's mother, Lizzie, also a show dog, is owned by Bitters and has shown at Westminster.

"She was a good show dog but she was even better making babies," said Bitters.

Though he took home no prizes at Westminster last week, Danny showed a natural talent from a young age. Bitters said he often stood in formal show stance without training or command, something known as "free stacking." Bitters started showing Danny when he was around 6 months old and he championed very quickly, she said.

In his career, Danny - also known by his show name Cerise Chanel Exclusif - has been in over 100 shows, has won best of breed, has won spaniel specialty shows across the United States and in Canada, and has even beaten nationally-ranked dogs.

But he's also a regular pet.

"He's very industrious in finding any gaps in the fencing," Bitters laughed. "He likes to play with his toys, he loves to go out in the yard and run and chase squirrels and birds. The best thing about him is he's very enthusiastic. In the morning, he's always happy when we get up. It's a good way to start the day."

Bitters has loved showing dogs since she was young. For her the competitions have never really been about winning.

"For me as a breeder, owner and handler, it's the fun of showing your own dog," she said. "It's really all about having fun with your dog."

But before the fun, there is great deal of hard work to train, prepare and qualify for such major national competitions.

"(Danny) gets groomed at least once a week, certainly more when we're going to a show," said Bitters, who used to show horses before she started training and showing her dogs. "You have to do a lot of work when they're young to train them on how to stand different, (respond to) commands (and) how to gate or trot on the lead without galloping or pulling. We usually start them at four months old. And then there are different classes you can go to regionally that teach you how to show. You always are refining what you do. You're constantly learning. It's a progressive type thing."

Despite Danny having grown accustom to the pomp and circumstance of big shows - and the liver treats he gets after he competes - once they step out of the show ring, Bitters says he's back to his normally self.

"He's my house pet that we show. The minute he goes out of the ring, he's goofy again," said Bitters. "He's a pretty happy-go-lucky dog."

J.HOPPER@THEDAY.COM

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