Photos by Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff Arlene Muzquiz of San Antonio gives a good luck kiss to Mariposa, a Yorkshire terrier, before her class competition at the Summerfest All Breed Dog Show.

Sam Patterson of San Diego carries his 11-week-old French bulldog, Captain BooBoo McGee, as he looks at dogs competing at the Ventura show.

Katrina Bicknell did her best to make her 42-pound whippet, Hawkeye, stand at attention as the judge stepped back and looked at the group mostly made up of professional dog handlers.

Twelve-year-old Katrina, the youngest handler in the best-in-breed competition, tried to keep her composure as judge Gloria Geringer carefully examined the sleek-looking animals.

Hawkeye, on the other hand, broke his concentration and turned his gaze to look at the crowd. That small movement cost Katrina and Hawkeye the coveted title.

"He was misbehaving," Katrina said after the competition. "I told him to stand, but instead of staying in one place, he was thinking, Where's Mommy?' But I've learned a lot here. I can watch the techniques other handlers use and use my own to tweak it."

Katrina was among the thousands of handlers who brought their furry champions and companions Sunday during the last day of the 35th annual Summerfest All Breed Dog Show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura. About 3,000 dogs and their handlers and thousands of spectators gathered for the three-day show, which ended with the crowning of the best-in-breed and best-in-show. The top prize went to female Akita "Champion Redwitch Reason to Believe," owned by Roger Rech-ler of New York and handled by Laurie Jordan-Fenner. The show also featured three days of obedience competitions.

Lorraine Ebdon, show chairwoman for the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association, which organized the event, said Summerfest has gained popularity over the years among professional competitors and dog enthusiasts alike.

"People love their dogs and think their dog is the best, but it's very rewarding when an independent person recognizes your dog and chooses your dog as the best," Ebdon said.

Virginia Majda of Los Angeles was doing her best to fluff and prep her white Samoyed, Mischa, before his best-of-breed competition.

Like a proud mother, Majda brushed her pampered pooch's tangled knots before his professional handler, Martin Cabral, made his way back to the grooming area.

While Cabral, who handled more than 10 dogs in the competition, ran from one tent to another, Majda took it easy and waited for Mischa's turn.

"It's like Disneyland for him, but I love it, too," Majda said as she gently ran a comb through Mischa's fur.

Debbie Cooper and Gloria Farley of Oak Park sat back with their own dogs as they watched the professional handlers walk the Alaskan malamutes in a controlled pace around the competition ring.

"They are so conditioned to do their job," Cooper said in amazement.

She added with a laugh, "And the trainers aren't bad either."

Although Katrina and Hawkeye didn't win the best-in-breed in the whippet competition, the 12-year-old handler walked away with first place in the puppy class with her 7-month-old whippet, Trapper. "It's been fun just getting to spend time with my dogs," she said.