The 104th obedience test, featuring 49 dogs, kicked off first day of the Ooty Dog Show at the Government Arts College ground in Udhagamandalam on May 8, 2026 (Friday).

The obedience test was judged by Philip Butt, while the Beagle and Indian breeds speciality shows were judged by Preetham and the Dachshund speciality show by Quique Boza Alpheratz.

Local residents as well as tourists flocked to the college grounds in large numbers to witness the dog show. Dogs from the Tamil Nadu Police Canine Squad also took part in the obedience test.

The dog show will continue with the 138th and 139th Championship shows on Saturday and Sunday. The P. Dharmu Memorial Championship Dog Show will also take place over the weekend.

The president of the South of India Kennel Club (SIKC), Rajini Krishnamurthy, said that more than 435 entries have been received this year. An all-time high of 55 different dog breeds are set to take part. “The SIKC, Ooty, is the second oldest club in the country affiliated to the Kennel Club of India since 1939, conducting shows every year except during the lockdown in 2021 and 2022,” a press release from the club said.