Belleville is going to the dogs this weekend

A 2-year-old Irish setter named Ricky may be the next big winner for two Hartford women who have bred dozens of champions in the past 40 years.

Ricky’s 6-year-old half-sister, Ginny, won Best of Breed at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show last February. His grandmother, Abbey, won Best of Breed at the Irish Setter Club of America nationals in 2010.

“Ginny is ranked in the Top 5 Irish setters in the country,” said breeder and co-owner Jeri Lynn McClure, 64, a retired fourth-grade teacher.

Ricky will be one of 729 competitors at the Edwardsville Illinois Kennel Club Dog Show this weekend in Belleville. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Belle-Clair Exposition Hall.

The public can watch the judging of 57 breeds, ranging from beagles to German shepherds, dobermans to cocker spaniels.

In conjunction, Gateway Non-Sporting Dog Club will sponsor a specialty show with only non-sporting breeds from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Belle-Clair. They include poodles, dalmatians, Boston terriers and chow chows.

“Admission is free,” said Event Chair Lynn Keller, 67, of Butler. “And if people like dogs or they’re looking to get a dog, it would be a good place to come and see which breed might fit their lifestyle.”

That’s exactly what Belle-Clair General Manager Allen Wandling did a few years ago. He ended up driving to Chicago for a Samoyed, a fluffy white Siberian dog.

People can’t bring dogs to the show that aren’t competing. Untrained barking or rambunctious dogs could cause distractions during judging.

“But you can go back into the grooming area and pet the dogs and talk to the owners,” said Allen, 64, of Swansea. “They love to talk to you.”

Jeri Lynn was drawn to Irish terriers as a girl and finally got one as a young woman. She started breeding and showing dogs with her friend, Dixie Demorest.

They call their operation Stoneypoint, reflected in their dogs’ registered names. Ricky is GCH Stoneypoint’s Don’t Rain on My Parade, and Ginny is GCH Stoneypoint’s Time to Reign.

Both Ricky and Ginny are grand champions, based on points earned at American Kennel Club competitions around the country. They really don’t train anymore. They just get washed and trimmed before dog shows.

“We start teaching them how to stand and how to move on a lead when they’re just babies,” Jeri Lynn said. “It’s like second nature to them.”

In Belleville, each breed will be judged on specified standards, generally related to appearance, movement, temperament and physical traits such as height and weight.

Ricky weighs about 75 pounds. His coat is mahogany (dark red), and he’s known for his pleasant personality and showmanship.

“Breeding dogs is kind of like being an artist,” Jeri Lynn said. “You have to know what bloodlines and qualities your dog has so you can hopefully make improvements.”

People who have limited time this weekend may just want to stop by Belle-Clair for final judging. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. Friday, 2:15 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Vendors also will sell dog beds, toys, shampoo, grooming supplies and other products, just in time for Christmas.

“It’s a great show,” Allen said. “It’s a good place to bring children to see dogs. It’s fun to watch them performing. They’re very smart.”

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 2:15 AM with the headline "Belleville is going to the dogs this weekend."