The last ever St Patrick's International Dog Show came to a close in Cloghran, Dublin, on Saturday, ending a tradition that began in 1922.
The Irish Kennel Club all-breed show will be held in June from now on. Some 2,832 dogs took part in the show in the National Show Centre which was watched by thousands of spectators over two days.
Kennel club spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said it was "the end of an era" for the show but the change in date was necessary for a number of reasons. Organisers would be able to hold some of the events outdoors in June and this would provide some much needed extra space.
Extra space will also be needed if the club is successful in its bid to host the European Dog Show Championships in 2009. The venue for the event will be announced later this year and Ms Jackson said the club was hopeful and optimistic its bid would win. A toy dog won the overall title in this year's show. The best in show title was taken by the Irish and Great Britain champion, Belliver Latest Creation, a pomeranian owned by Seán Carroll and his nephew, James Newman.
Reserve best in show went to Nordach Magic Moments, a Norfolk terrier owned and shown by James Hammond. James (15) from Cabinteely came third in the international junior handling competition at Crufts earlier this month.
He said he was now retiring the four-year-old dog, whose pet name is Oscar, as "he's won all there is to win at this stage".
The other main winners in the show were as follows:
Best terrier: Nordach Magic Moments (Norfolk terrier), owned by J Hammond.
Best working dog: Quintilian of Aughaval (Bernese mountain dog), owned by M McCormack Kelly.
Best hound: Serenaker Devil Woman (beagle), owned by S Parker and G Stevens
Best toy dog: Belliver Latest Creation (pomeranian) owned by S Carroll and J Newman.
Best pastoral dog: Diego du Pre du Vieux Pont at Revloch (Belgian shepherd groenendael), owned by P and J Lawless.
Best utility dog: Kudos Hyside (miniature poodle), owned by M McCann.
Best gun dog: Antonine Polar Express at Richley (Clumber spaniel) owned by R Dunne.
Best puppy: Jiltrain Capuchino (shiba inu) owned by S and P Minogue.
• A full list of the results is available on the Irish Kennel Club website www.ikc.ie
