GONE TO THE DOGS— Clockwise from upper left, Donna Gallardo with her pooch, Chance, at the Nuts for Mutts dog show June 26 in Calabasas. A pair of bulldogs named Skye and Mr. Magoo belonging to Becky Haeflinger of Thousand Oaks look forward to the Fourth of July. Four-year-old Blue, owned by Mary Clark of Encino, and 2-year-old Henry, owned by Bonnie Mizrahi of Granada Hills, are judged in the Best Eyes category. It’s the second year the benefit for the New Leash on Life charity has come to Calabasas. The event is in its 10th year. The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center went to the dogs last Sunday as hundreds of pet owners gathered to celebrate the beauty of mixed breeds.

Benefiting the Calabasas Rotary Club, the Agoura Hills/ Calabasas Community Center, and the animal rescue organization New Leash on Life, the 2011 Nuts for Mutts Dog Walk and Dog Show combined two events into a single fun-filled day.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Activities kicked off with a 5K walk that led canines and their human companions through the hills of west Calabasas, and continued with a series of competitions that showcased the crazy canines and diggety dogs in 30 categories.

“We’re here to support the dogs,” said Anna Gonzalez, whose pet Oreo competed in the “best eyes” contest.

In previous years, the annual Nuts for Mutts dog walk and dog show took place at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. But last year, New Leash On Life partnered with the Calabasas Rotary Club and Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center to bring the dog walk to Calabasas.

“I thought it would be a great idea to do a pet walk in Calabasas since it’s a pet-friendly community,” said Rotary’s Ron LeBow, who helped get the idea rolling.

“Since we wanted to have a big event, we partnered with New Leash On Life because they had done a dog walk and alternating dog show at Pierce College for several years.”

Last year the local dog walk attracted 800 participants. Since it was successful, organizers decided to add the dog show for the 2011 event, LeBow said.

Proceeds collected by Rotary Club of Calabasas will benefit local nonprofit organizations and schools. The club also sponsors a program for neighbors in need and a mission to eradicate polio.

New Leash On Life rescues and rehabilitates homeless pets. The organization, founded by Bobby and Kelly Dorafshar, also sponsors a training program for therapy dogs and presents educational seminars at local shelters.

New Leash On Life volunteer Lisa Erving, who owns a therapy dog named Ash, said canines comfort people. “Dogs are so sweet and kind, and they make you feel good,” said the West Hills resident who trained her dog for hospital and school visits.

SAY ‘AAAHHH’—Jeff Capco of West Hills, right, watches as Nicole Cross, a West Hills Pet medical technician, examines Scarlett’s teeth during a free doggie dental exam at Nuts for Mutts in Calabasas. IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers Oxnard resident Donna Gallardo and her dog, Chance, sat under a nearby canopy watching large and small pooches display their personalities and qualities for a panel of judges in one of two makeshift rinks outside of the community center.

“I wanted to have a special day for Chance. We go on walks and to the dog park. But this is the first time we heard of a show like this for mixed dogs,” said Gallardo whose mutt competed in the best smile and best eyes categories.

Inside the rink, master of ceremonies Jennifer Davenport named the features of the four-legged contestants while judge Peter Bovino took notes to prequalify pets for the finals. The pooches came in all shapes and sizes.

Most sat patiently by their owners as the judge stooped down to give them a look over. But others, like No. 420—a 10-month-old small, white dog named Betsy— jumped at the judge to lick his face.

At the end of the day, celebrity judges selected the winners in the final competitions while actress-comedienne Debra Wilson (“MADtv”) handled the master of ceremonies duties with Christian Le Blanc (“The Young and the Restless”).

The 2011 Nuts for Mutts Best in Show winner was Harley, a shepherd mix, owned by Wendy Edler of West Hills. Foxy, a Pomeranian mix belonging to Melissa Bederman of Los Angeles, won second place, and Truf, a pit bull mix up for adoption through New Leash on Life, placed third.