Cebu has been a melting pot for champions across diverse arenas, spanning sports, music, and the culinary arts. But amid this mosaic of achievements, there’s one extraordinary feat that rarely graces Cebuano ears — a story of a dog claiming the gold on the global stage.
Lucky, whose name reflects his fate, is a two-year-old Pomeranian breed taken care of by owners residing in Tisa, Cebu City, Jaclyn Claire Limtin-Buendia and Romeo Buendia.
Lucky was the “Best of Breed” champion at the prestigious World Dog Show Grand Prix de Geneve 2023, outshining 94 other talented Pomeranians.
“There are so many nice Pomeranians out there, Pomeranians from Russia, Thailand, Korea and some other countries which are all nice. One thing that made Lucky outshine the 94 Pomeranians is the conformation. He has a good ear set and a nice face,” said Romeo.
Conformation refers to the overall physical appearance and structure of a purebred dog compared to the established breed standard.
Breeding stock is essential in dog shows because it serves as the foundation for maintaining breed standards, improving breed health, and producing dogs that excel in terms of appearance, behavior and functionality. Responsible breeding practices are critical to the long-term health and well-being of dog breeds.
Jaclyn went on to emphasize that it’s not as simple as finding “perfect” dogs, but as long as they meet the standards of the judges, each of whom may have varying preferences, it will contribute to improving their standing or performance.
Winner from birth
Before securing international victories, Lucky had already become a Hall of Famer in the Philippines, having competed multiple times in Bacolod, Cagayan, Iloilo, Manila and other renowned locations. In 2022, he was also honored as the top Pomeranian in the country.
“Lucky’s group belongs to the Spitz class. Then they will compete to see who will be the best in the group. After that comes the Best Show which Lucky won a lot in the Philippines. If a dog becomes a champion and then wins in the grand championship, that’s how a dog lands in the Hall of Fame,” said Romeo.
What remains a hidden gem of Lucky’s story is that he was destined for greatness from birth. Born during the throes of a pandemic, his mother faced the challenges of giving birth with limited access to veterinary care during those trying times.
“Cebu City resembled a ghost town due to the lockdowns, and veterinarians were not accepting emergency cases. Consequently, when Lucky’s mother went into labor at 2 a.m., we couldn’t rush her to the hospital. However, due to the prolonged labor, we managed to get her there by 9 a.m. It was at this point that we received the news that Lucky was born without a heartbeat. Fortunately, the veterinarians were able to resuscitate him, and that’s how he earned his name, Lucky,” said Jaclyn.
Now, Lucky has made history as the first Philippine-born dog to receive such a renowned accolade on the international stage.
“Lucky already stayed with his trainer, Manuel Romero Jr. in Manila since last year. We campaigned him the entire year last year for the entire Philippines. The trainer also made sure that Lucky would enjoy his training and at the same time he would learn effectively,” said Jaclyn.
They had a lot to do on the grooming side. They put in considerable effort with brushing since his coat was challenging to maintain. They also ensured the right supplementation, the appropriate dog food, and the correct shampoo to keep this type of coat in its best condition.
“Hard work pays off for us. The journey going there is not easy, outshining 94 Pomeranians. It was very fulfilling for us,” said Jaclyn.
Lucky’s story is proof of the bond between humans and their four-legged companions. In celebrating Lucky’s victory, people are reminded that every dog, just like Lucky, has the potential to shine brightly when given the chance, love and care they deserve.