Real Dogs of Westminster
Kim Kezer not only trains her winning Irish Water Spaniel, Fiona, she also trains hippos , jaguars, and giraffes for the Franklin Park Zoo. Fiona is the number three ranked Irish Water Spaniel and has been featured on Animal Planet’s Dogs 101.
A Pennsylvania champion Labrador Retriever from Richboro specializes in working with young children in an assisted learning program–including the disabled and autistic. Owner Wendi Hunter (kennel prefix Ridgeway) holds a “read to the dogs evening” at the local library.
A Rottweiler named Riley is the mascot for the Church of the Epiphany in Spartansburg, SC. It will be the first appearance for Riley and owner Episcopal Priest, Henry Tollison.
Vietnam Vet Doug Toomey, North Carolina, who trained sentry dogs will be on the carpet with Eddie, a Miniature Bull Terrier, while Seaworld trainer Jamie Marti of Orlando will be there with Harley, a top Belgian Malinois. And, the trainer of Rachel Alexander, the 2009 Eclipse Thoroughbred of the Year, will bring Poker, a Norwich Terrier she purchased with poker winnings. The first show dog for Caroline Dodwekk, he has been the number one Norwich for the past three years.
An Iraq war veteran will be in the ring with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Moose. Larry Lentz now owns an Illinois boxing gym that trains pro and amateur fighters. Moose is the lifeguard at the gym. And then there is a Leonberger named Cisco. He is a Delta Society therapy dog and certified Animal Assisted Crisis Response team member–he also participates with his owner Lorene McLaughlin of Vermont in the weekly READ program. Another Leonberger, Gigi, survived a near-death experience when neighbors tried to poison her. She and her owner, Jean Boggie, also survived a capsized boat.
And last, but not least–an Alaskan Malamute named Kinky from Montana. Owners Baker and Coburn also raise Icelandic sheep and angora goats.
If there could be a BEST IN AMERICA, then these owners and their best friends should win the titles. A big WOOF to all who train their dogs week in and week out!
Feb 09, 2011 | | Uncategorized