Toronto dog ready to wow Westminster Kennel Club competition

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A Toronto dog is being groomed to strut his stuff at America’s top canine competition next month.

Clark, a seven-year-old Portuguese water dog, is no a stranger to the winner’s circle as he will make his first appearance at the historic Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City beginning Feb. 8.

Owner and handler Byron Fulkerth said Clark was rated the top Portuguese water dog in Canada for the last two years, was the top working dog in 2023 and ranked third of all breeds that were shown in Canada that year, as well.

In addition, Clark has 21 best in shows and 18 reserve best in shows, and has won more than 130 group firsts at various competitions.

Fulkerth, a 31-year-old body builder and personal trainer originally from Alberta, said competing at the Westminster Kennel Club next month is like attending the Oscars.

“It’s going to be a tremendous year for water dogs,” he said. “A lot of our top water dogs will be in attendance, many of them from different parts of the country, all doing well in their respective regions. Clark will have a strong lineup of dogs competing against him that are also best in show winners.”

Of the approximately 2,500 champion dogs from the U.S. and around the world that will attend the competition, only 78 hail from Canada.

While Clark is still being shown in the U.S., Fulkerth said he is semi-retired from Canadian competition.

Portuguese water dogs originate from the Algarve region of Portugal. They are known as strong swimmers and divers who once worked with Portuguese fishers.

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The breed’s population went into decline in the early 1900s when fishers vanished from Portugal’s coastline. However, a wealthy shipping magnate took it upon himself to save the breed.

Once their numbers grew, the dogs were exported to other countries and first appeared at American competitions in the 1970s.

Fulkerth said Clark comes from generations of successful dogs. His grandfather won his group at the Westminster Kennel Club three years in a row, and his dad is the top sire in history.

Clark came into Fulkerth’s life after his experience showing Portuguese water dogs. He submitted references when an opportunity came to adopt Clark from Washington state when he was just a pup.

While Fulkerth co-owns his pet with one of the dog’s American breeders, Clark lives with him full-time in Toronto.

“He is a very chill dog,” Fulkerth said. “He is the type of dog that will enjoy a soak in a bubble bath.”

Fulkerth added Clark is happy when he is active.

“He has trained with me for two marathons,” he said. “He ran by my side while I conditioned for the New York Marathon as well as the Vancouver Marathon.

“He is a very active dog, but also enjoys to just soak in a tub. He is willing to get in a backpack and ride on my back while I go skating or for a bike ride. He just wants to be with me.”