Chief Bowlin Makes Career as Dog Show Darling

Meet Chief Bowlin!

Paducah's Mary Bowlin knows her way around a dog show ring. She's been a member of the Paducah Kennel Club for more than 30 years. She'd shown Miniature Poodles for 25 years when a friend, Doris Gilbert, asked her to show a Papillon as a favor.

Doris thought maybe her little guy was show quality.

Mary did show him, and he finished his championship in only six shows. (Acquiring a championship can often take a year of showing. Or two. Or more!)

Mary suggested that Doris breed her Champion, and Doris gave Mary the pick of the litter. That puppy became Mary's first Papillon Champion, CH. Samar Mischief Maker, otherwise known as "Chief."

Now, most dogs who get their championships go home and rest on their laurels. But Chief was something special. Really special. He loved to show. He was a ham who strode his diminutive self into the show ring and said, "Hey! Look at me! Have you ever seen a more glorious dog in your life? Of course not!"

Or, in iList Paducah vernacular, Chief was a hottie. He was cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it, and he knew it!

So Mary and Chief continued on, going against the top Papillons and all of the top Toy breeds in the country. In 2002, Chief won so often that he became the No. 10 Papillon in the United States!

The top 20 dogs in each breed are invited to compete in the prestigious Eukanuba Show of Champions. If Westminster is the dog world's Kentucky Derby, then the Eukanuba show is the Super Bowl. Mary and Chief made the drive to Orlando, Fla. "Qualifying for and showing at Eukanuba was the thrill of a lifetime," says Mary.

After that wild ride, Chief did retire. "He is enjoying life at home as a fun-loving dog," Mary says with a grin. "His kids, grandkids and great grandkids are following in his footsteps. But I know there will only be one Chief."

Are Papillons for everyone?

"Well," Mary answers, "the best thing about them is their intelligence. They are smart. And being a single coated breed, they don't shed too much. But," she adds, "they can be hard to housebreak. And as a result of that intelligence, they can play games instead of coming when called!"

While Paps are great with kids, care must be taken due to their tiny size and breakability.

Chief is 9 now, as bright a spirit as ever. Mary sums it all up simply: "He has been the joy of my life."

Rock on, Chief!! 

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