Loretta and Katey were unfazed by the heated competition, and Ripley simply enjoyed being combed.

All three are purebred show dogs competing in the annual Wine Country Kennel Club Dog Show on a November weekend at the Napa Valley Expo.

"Some of the top dogs on the West Coast were here," said Kim Bates, show chairman of the Napa event. "We also had some of the top handlers and well very respected judges."

Some dog owners, such as Jennifer Ansell of Oakley, hire a professional handler to show her dog.

After Ansell spent three hours combing her dog, Ripley's shaggy coat, she turned the leash of the Old English sheepdog to professional handler Bill McFadden of Lodi.

Old English sheepdogs require a lot of grooming. Even in the showring, McFadden pulled a comb from inside his sports coat and gave Ripley a quick touch up when the judge wasn't looking.

McFadden, who has been handling dogs for 30 years, said he makes a living showing dogs.

At the Wine Country show he and his wife, also a handler, showed 19 breeds on Sunday.

Ripley, 3 years old, is ranked about third or fourth for his breed, according to Ansell.

Why a professional handler?

"They seem to do a lot better (than I can). (Ripley) seems to win more," Ansell said, who has owned sheepdogs since she was about 8 years old.

Ansell said she finds dog shows competitive, but fun and "it's a chance to learn about other breeds. It's a challenge."

As a handler, McFadden was reluctant to name a favorite breed he likes to show. "All dogs are different," he said.

As Ripley trotted into the outdoor showring, Ansell's eyes were fixed on him. "I get nervous watching (my dog) in the ring."

Ansell was all smiles after Ripley came away with Best of Show honors for the breed.

Alan Schluter of Arbuckle owns two Irish wolfhounds, Loretta and Katey. He prefers to show them himself.

"I do this just for the competition," Schluter said, who pointed out he would be showing against the No. 1 Irish wolfhound in the country.

Having competed in high school and college sports, Schluter said dog shows let him continue to enjoy the competitive spirit.

He said he goes to 12-15 competitions a year -- traveling to Washington, Oregon and Southern California.

"It's just like football on any given Sunday," Schluter said. "You don't know what that particular judge is looking for."

Schluter's dogs did not topple the No. 1 Irish wolfhound from its throne, but he did leave the ring with Best Opposite honors -- kind of like being the runner-up.

Away from the showrings, dog fanciers could cruise numerous booths selling everything from dog clothes, shampoos, halters and an abundance of soft toys and doggy treats.

At the Leading Edge, owner Frank Hegedus of Santa Cruz sold grooming scissors ranging in price from $21 to $550. He had on display more than 200 types and sizes of scissors.

"They're all for grooming the dogs. Show dogs need to be perfect," Hegedus said. "There is a scissors for every job."

Hegedus estimated he goes to 24 shows a year.

At the Primadogga booth there were jewelry trinkets for dogs and humans. Inventory included bracelets, zipper pulls, collars and earrings (which are for the dog's owners only).

Another booth was selling every breed of stuffed animal and toys a dog could imagine. There were footballs, bears, porcupines, zebras, snowmen, gingerbread men and Santa Clauses.

There were 1,300 dogs Saturday and 1,200 dogs Sunday in the competition. The Wine Country Kennel Club show is a medium-sized venue; whereas a big show, may have as many as 3,500 dogs, according to Bates.

Napa dog show organizers moved the event to the fall because they did not want to conflict with a large terrier show in Southern California, and at the same time was the NASCAR races at Infineon Raceway at Sears Point, which resulted in a scarcity of hotel rooms and the unusual traffic congestion that comes with the car races.

"We wanted to pick a weekend when people could enjoy themselves," Bates said.

This year's Napa show attracted some of the top dogs in the county. The No. 1 of all breeds, a Dandi Dimont, a breed of terrier, grabbed Best of Show honors both days.

In addition to the No. 1 Irish wolfhound, a top Tibetan terrier was at the Napa show, according to Bates.

The Lions Club served up breakfast and lunch both days. "The dog show is the Lions Club only major fundraiser of the year," Bates said.