These pit bulls are a different kind of sled dog

More than 100 pit bulls  displayed their strength and beauty during the dog show and weight pull event held Saturday on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

The two-day event, sponsored by the Sho-Me-State American Pit Bull Terrier Club, featured three conformation shows and two weight pulls. According to event organizer Russ Krohn, 29 dogs competed in the weight pull and 100 vied for ribbons in the conformation show.

During the conformation portion of the event, the dogs were led on leash into an arena, where they were judged on their structure. Krohn said judges consider everything from head size to teeth.

“Their heads have to be proportionate to their bodies,” he said, “and they need to have a deep chest.”

The judges look for a dog who has balance, good movement and solid structure. Size and color are not considered during the conformation show.

Phil Chiappetta, of Chicago, said he attends the event every year. Chiappetta entered his black-and-white pit bull, Barack O’Boyles, in the conformation show. Chiappetta said he named his dog in honor of President Barack Obama.

Missy Villines, of Caulfield, participated in the weight pull with her 12-year-old daughter Jacqueline’s dog, Faith, who was decked out with a hot pink camouflage-patterned harness complete with a fur lining. Jacqueline said she enjoys the event and has made friends from all over the country. Missy said she enjoys the experience as well.

“We like the dogs and the people,” she said.

During the pulling event, the dogs’ harnesses are attached to a wheeled sled laden with weights. The dog is then prompted to pull the heavy sled down a carpeted track. Weight is slowly added to the cart and the dogs compete against one another toward the title of “Ace.”

Krohn said weight pull dogs are in top physical condition and the handlers spend hours conditioning and training the animals.

Missy Villines, who has participated in weight pulling since 1986, said she got into pit bulls by accident when a friend asked her to dog sit his pit bull puppy while he went away for military basic training. When the friend returned, he let her keep the dog.

“At first I was terrified,” Missy said, “but after one week I fell in love.”

Villines now has five pit bulls, including 7-year-old Katie, a five-time champion, who participated in the weight pulling event Saturday.

“Katie loves it,” she said. “She cries for her turn when I am working with another dog at home.”

Villines said many people believe the event is mean or harmful to the dogs, but she contends the exact opposite is true.

“The people here are freezing right now,” she said, “and the dogs are covered up and warm.”

When the dogs reach the end of the track, they are praised with kisses and hugs.

“We aren’t making them do it,” Missy said. “We are asking them.”

The events continue today at the fairgrounds with registration beginning at 8 a.m., the weight pull at 9:30 a.m., and conformation show at 10 a.m.