Introducing Sweetbay's 2004 Titlists

Introducing Sweetbay’s 2004 Titlists

We’d like to introduce you to the Newfoundlands and their special owners who achieved titles in 2004.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 16244
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: NJP (AKC Novice Agility Jumpers Preferred title)

Sometimes timing is everything. Lyric is an incredibly fast dog and Lois can’t begin to match that speed, so Lois handles Lyric from a distance. Some of their jumpers runs demonstrated wonderful accuracy, but on occasion their timing was off and the run more closely resembled a demolition derby. However, on those occasions when Lyric didn’t knock a bar down, she was always in the placements. Lyric is happiest when allowed to go as fast as possible, and she makes agility a thrilling spectator sport – as well as thrilling for Lois. On February 7, 2004, Lyric qualified
for her 3rd leg of novice jumpers, receiving the title of NJP.

Sweetbay’s Corinanne CD DD, OFA NF-8246, EL-2221
Call Name: Annie
Born: 3-28-02
Sire: CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak CD CanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RN TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Nancy Aliff, Tallahassee, Florida
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Nancy Aliff had big plans for her new puppy, Annie. One of Nancy’s favorite dog activities is obedience,, and she knew her new puppy would like it to. So they started in immediately, working on heeling, stays, recalls. Being Nancy, she also laid the foundation for other venues, and showed Annie in the breed ring as well. Nancy will admit that it’s the working events she loves best, though, and shortly before Annie’s second birthday, they were ready for the novice ring. Annie earned her first two CD legs at back to back shows in February, at the Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club shows, sponsored by Nancy’s home club. The third leg came on February 21, also in February. The Newfoundland Club of Florida sponsored the Newf entry at that show, and Annie was the only Newf in obedience. Her qualifying score (188) earned her the High Scoring Newfoundland honors. The trophy, a handsome hand-painted plate featuring a seated Newfoundland holding a dumbbell, seemed to confirm that Open work might be in Annie’s future. “Definitely,” says Nancy. “We’ve already started, and she loves the much more exciting CDX exercises.”

Sweetbay’s Sonnet U-CD RN TD AmCanWRD, OFA NF-8250, EL-2224
Call Name: Sonnet
Born: 3-28-02
Sire: CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak CD CanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RN TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Sharon and Michael Marcus, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: TD (AKC Tracking Dog tracking title)

Sonnet was out in the fields, using her nose, at eight weeks of age, and never looked back. She was a natural, keen and driven, and this sport was right up her alley. She certified right around her first birthday, enabling her to enter – but every tracker knows that’s the hard part: getting into a test.
Then she discovered mice. And voles. And gophers. And all those other wonderful scurrying irresistible creatures. And the tracking field became a hunter’s paradise. A tracklayer’s scent was interesting – unless there was something better to pursue. Michael approached this typical teenage regression with fortitude; he reminded her that she could hunt on her own time, but when they were working, her nose needed to be on her work.
Sonnet made the trip to Sacramento, an entrant in the Newfoundland Club of Northern California’s Newfs-only tracking test, on March 7. She drew track #1, and ran it in a blazing four minutes. You couldn’t have asked for a better job; it was just spectacular. The judges were effusively complimentary, commenting “We didn’t know Newfs were such great trackers - or that they could go that fast!”

Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD TD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Call name: Esme
Born: 6-3-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Bounder CanCD, OFA NF-5924, EL-685
Dam: Sweetbay’s Parmalee AmCanCD AmCanTD AmCanWRD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-5341
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler
Title earned: TD (AKC Tracking Dog tracking title)

Esme earned a slot in the same March7 Northern California Newfs-only test that Sonnet (above) was in. She drew track #3, which turned out to be the longest and most difficult track in the division. Esme didn’t care, though. She tracks at a very smooth and brisk pace, allowing Judi the luxury of walking (not running) behind. And at that speed, it’s easy for Judi to see what she’s doing and catch mental glimpses of how her nose works. Going down the first leg, Judi could see the track extending out forward a good distance; the cool dewy morning showed the bent over grass where the tracklayer had walked. Esme had gone maybe half the distance, then made a sharp turn to the right, ducking behind a thick hedge. Clearly, the track continued on ahead, yet Esme (out of sight behind the hedge) felt like she was tracking. Judi opted to overrule her own judgement and trust her dog. Sure enough, the judges had plotted the track atop another track used only days before, then made a turn prematurely. The track Judi saw was not this day’s track, and she would have failed had she insisted Esme continue. There were three of those spots along the TD track, and Esme’s nose clearly identified the right way to go each time. And in six minutes, she was at her glove, nosing it happily, delighted that she had solved the puzzle once again.

Sweetbay’s Aurora CD MX AXJ WD, OFA NF-7502, EL-1660
Call name: Rory
Born: 3-19-00
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Padgett AmCanCD, OFA NF-6539, EL-1025
Owner: Anna Lewandowski, Houston, Texas
Title earned: OAJ (AKC open agility jumpers with weaves title)

The jumpers class in agility is all about speed. There are no contact obstacles to slow you down; no pause table. Only jumps jumps and more jumps, with a set of weave poles thrown in for good measure. In novice jumpers, the time limit to complete the course is somewhat lenient, and Rory had earned her novice jumpers title fairly easily. But in open, the course time becomes much shorter, and the number of jumps increases. Rory earned her first open jumpers leg at the Astrohall in July 2003, with a lovely run that earned her a third place. Her second leg came in November, again a third place. Then, on March 7th, they qualified for that important third leg. It was a very difficult course on carpet over cement in a ring that was long and narrow, and it didn’t flow at all. However, Rory ran it cleanly and well under time, once again earning a third place. Qualifying is wonderful, but to have a Newfoundland place in the ribbons – each time – is nothing short of spectacular. And, as Anna says, the best part is sharing such a great activity with her dog. As she says, “Rory is a wonderful ambassador for her breed and for this sport. She always charms the crowd with her happy working dog attitude.”

CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak CD CanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Call name: Kyak
Born: 6-3-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Bounder CanCD, OFA NF-5924, EL-685
Dam: Sweetbay’s Parmalee AmCanCD AmCanTD AmCanWRD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-5341
Owners: Bonnie Fergusson, Aldergrove, British Columbia
Title earned: CanCDX (CKC Companion Dog Excellent obedience title)

The second obedience level, open, is a huge leap above novice. In novice, if your dog comes when you call, stays when you tell him, and doesn’t leave the ring, he’s pretty sure of qualifying. But once you get that CD, you discover there are hundreds of things your dog can mess up that will prevent you from qualifying. Fortunately, Bonnie Fergusson and Kyak had done stellar novice work, and that gave them an excellent foundation for the more difficult open tasks. Still, failing a show now and then is the norm – all those pesky things, remember – and Kyak would pick up a leg, then just miss at the next trial. He went into the golden-retriever-sponsored March trials in British Columbia with two legs already; he needed only one more for his title. Could he do it? Could this be the lucky weekend? It certainly was. Bonnie showed him in all four trials (two on Saturday, two on Sunday) and he qualified in all four with rock-solid performances, and his fine scores earned him a first place every time.

Sweetbay’s Tanner AmCanCD AmCanDD, OFA 7777, EL-1867
Call name: Tanner
Born: 1-21-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525 EL-1016
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: CanCD (CKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Judi and Ellis started Tanner working on carting back in 2003, and – as part of cart training – they put some energy in teaching him basic obedience as well. A scheduling conflict caused them to miss out on the draft test they had planned to enter, but they continued the training – and then one day realized he was getting close to ready for obedience trials as well. So Judi started focusing, and she and Tanner went everywhere, training in distracting situations and doing the proofing necessary to ensure success in the ring. Tanner is an intact male, and right before the trials, two of the Adlers’ girls came in season. Poor Tanner: his mind was definitely not on obedience! But Judi insisted, Tanner rallied, and they qualified in all four of the trials (two Saturday, two Sunday) sponsored by the Golden Retriever club in Cloverdale, British Columbia. Tanner did better than qualify. He consistently scored in the 193 range, and despite stiff competition in the big novice B class, he took two first places and tied for first in a third trial. Even better, his exuberant attitude earned him enthusiastic compliments from judges and spectators. Tanner loves having a fan club, and he wound up with a big one at these shows.

Sweetbay’s Tanner AmCanCD AmCanDD, OFA 7777, EL-1867
Call name: Tanner
Born: 1-21-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525 EL-1016
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Tanner earned his first two CD legs at back-to-back shows in Albany, Oregon on March 13 and 14. The shows were all-breed, with a thousand-plus conformation dogs being pouffed and powdered, barking and carrying on, and Tanner found it a bit overwhelming at first. But he settled quickly and worked well in the ring, earning a 193.5 the first day (for third place, a very nice surprise in such a huge novice class) and a 193 the second day. Tanner’s third leg came on April 3 at a trial in Centralia, Washington, where everything that could go wrong did. The weather was atrocious: although local weather had been grey and cold for weeks, a freak heat wave sent temperatures into the high 80’s, the first time in months, and there was no shade anywhere at the show site. That’s tough on a heavy-coated black dog. The parking was abysmal; it was close to half a mile to our ring, on sharp-edged gravel, painful on dog paws. And there was no room in the tiny obedience building to set up a crate or even to sit comfortably; you were surrounded on all sides by strange dogs and nervous entrants, literally bumping into you. Plus, there was an unexpected three hour wait before Tanner got his turn (again, bad circumstances). However, Tanner came through with flying colors, qualifying with a solid 194. This was one show where Judi did not hang around afterwards; instead, she and Tanner made a beeline for the nearest fast food place, where Tanner happily downed the biggest ice cream cone available.

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Call name: Liam
Born: 3-17-01
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Parmalee AmCanCD AmCanTD AmCanWRD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-5341
Owner: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

Liam’s draft test took place on April 3 in Colorado, and it was his first try at draft competition. Owner Patti Pigeon described it later as an “Eeyore” test. You know, when everything goes fine, nothing strange or bad happens, it’s just la-la-la. But tests are never that simple, and Liam put in a solid performance, doing a lovely job at basic control (heeling, recall, long-down-stay), then maneuvering his cart cleverly through obstacles over a complex course. The test site was at a fairly quiet rural park, so there were few distractions, and Patti enjoyed doing the one-mile-long freight haul with Liam, savoring the gorgeous scenery and appreciating the nice weather. And, as she said, “we’ve been in some horrific draft tests in the past, so to have one that was relaxing and leisurely – well, as much as a test can be – was a real treat.” The test took place on April 3, and it was Liam’s first try at draft competition.

Sweetbay’s Ricochet CD WRD, OFA NF-7439, EL-1625
Call Name: Shay
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCan CDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603 EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525 EL-1016
Owner: Kathy Robbins, Mt. Airy, Maryland
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Kathy Robbins hadn’t been sure she wanted to do obedience with Shay, because Shay didn’t seem all that fond of it. She much preferred water work and agility (at which she excelled), and she was turning into a very good carting dog as well. But obedience? It seemed too regimented for Shay’s energy level and personal tastes. But Kathy loves obedience, and has since she was a toddler. She gave it much thought, then decided perhaps Shay’s disinterest could be changed to enthusiasm if Kathy did things differently. So she retrenched and started again, with renewed effort. And Shay picked up her CD in successive trials over the spring with very fine performances, including a third place (in a forty dog novice class) at her second trial. Even better, she loves obedience now, and performs her exercises with energy and zest. The biggest compliment, for Kathy, came when she was told, over and over, “Your dog looked so happy in the ring! She was so much fun to watch.”

Sweetbay’s Emily AmCanCD U-CD RN, NF-8091, EL-2098
Call Name: Emily
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD TD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Annie Miksch, Vashon Island, Washington
Title earned: CanCD (CKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Emily made her obedience debut far from her Seattle home, when Annie Miksch headed north to Chilliwack, British Columbia. They had trained hard and gone to fun matches and rally, but still, those are not the same as a real trial that counts. Annie had wondered how they would do, and decided to chose a smaller, quieter trial for that first attempt. So she entered the March 12 trials (two trials that day) - and qualified magnificently at both. Their 194 at the first trial earned them second place in their class, a lovely accomplishment. But it was the second show that was so amazing. Emily scored a 195.5, and won a run-off for first place in the novice class. That score tied for High In Trial as well. Talk about an amazing debut. Then Emily finished her CD by qualifying in her next trial (and the two that followed) on Vancouver Island in April.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: NJC-V (NADAC Novice Agility Jumpers Preferred title)

When Lyric got her third leg, earning her Novice jumpers title, Lois Apfel was thrilled. As she says, “This was a feat that we felt would only happen if all the planets lined up perfectly. Lyric is so much faster than I am, and she likes speed better than anything. I can’t even hope to keep up with her physically, and getting my commands and signals out as fast and as perfectly-timed as I need to is close to impossible. So it takes a special course and a special day for us to get through it with a clean run and no knocked bars.” Saturday, April 17, was that day. The course time was 31.90 seconds, and Lyric blazed through in 26.72 seconds. That gave them a first place, a great way to finish a title.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: OGC-V (NADAC Open Agility Gamblers Preferred title)

Trying to briefly explain the gamblers’ class is impossible. However, think of it as lightning-fast agility designed by a world class poker player, because there’s a lot of free choice and second-guessing. One example: in regular agility, the judge designs the course and all dogs run it exactly that way. But in gamblers, although the obstacles are preset, the handler decides how to run part of it. He accrues points based on what obstacles he chooses – rather like a diver picks his dive based on the technical difficulty (more points if it’s harder) and how well he thinks he can do it.
For Lyric to be successful at gamblers, Lois has to choose a course that minimizes the distance Lois has to cover, yet combine the elements so that Lyric can run them smoothly in succession. That’s not possible on all courses. But it’s what Lois got on April 18, and she and Lyric made the most of it. She did way better than necessary, in fact, and took first place in her class. What a great way to earn that first open agility!

Sweetbay’s Hara CD U-CD RAE TD NF-8306, EL-2270
Call name: Hara
Born: 3-15-02
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Wahkeena, OFA NF-7129, EL-1392
Owner: Da Klotz, Sandyville, Ohio
Title earned: TD (AKC Tracking Dog tracking title)

Dan Klotz started tracking with Hara when she was a young pup, and she took to the sport with enthusiasm. Nothing seemed to faze her, whether it was extremes of weather, difficult terrain, or complicated scenting problems. Dan was working on agility and obedience at the same time, activities Hara enjoyed thoroughly, but it was clear that her true love – and Dan’s – was tracking. She certified last year, but then Dan got stuck. He couldn’t seem to get her into a test! Entry is done by lottery, and he consistently wasn’t making the draw. Tracking tests in his area always have more entries than they can accommodate, and at one test, Dan’s entry was 28th on the alternate list! Finally, he made the draw, and in a nice coincidence, it was for the Apri 15 Buckeye test, the closest to home of all the ones he’d entered. The night before the test, Dan watched the sky as lightning forked in the distance. “Some place is getting hit real hard,” he thought – little knowing it was the site of the tracking test that bore the brunt of the overnight deluge. At the test the next morning, the judges announced that there had been so much rain, it had not had a chance to soak in, so the entrants would be tracking on standing water. Dan had practiced this – puddles here, puddles there – but he was surprised to see every inch of his track was under water. Hara started out with confidence, only slowly – because the scenting was not only different but more difficult – and gained confidence with every footstep. She navigated every leg perfectly, never once giving Dan a moment of doubt, and after six minutes, she stopped, happily sniffing the glove.

Sweetbay’s Gusto UD TD WRDX TDD OA OAJ (VCD2), OFA NF-7523
Call name: Gus
Born: 3-19-00
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247)
Dam: Sweetbay’s Padgett AmCanCD, OFA NF-6539, EL-1025
Owner: Ann Dunnigan, Afton, Minnesota
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog carting title)

Ann Dunnigan’s first foray into team draft wasn’t exactly at a quiet venue; it was at the National Newfoundland Specialty at Delevan, Wisconsin, on April 22. She had trained her Gus and a friend’s male Newf over the winter – but it had been so cold in Minnesota, most of their training had been small-scale precision work indoors. That’s not even remotely the same as doing a one mile freight haul at a specialty, with hundreds of onlookers (not to mention hundreds of other dogs). But Gus and friend did a stellar job, performing solidly during the obedience portion, and then demonstrating exemplary team work for Ann during the carting portions. The freight haul route wound through the show site, including a long stretch on a raised sidewalk that wrapped around the edges of the lake. Mere inches from all that beckoning water – yet the boys stayed on course and listened to Ann. Ann confided later that this was only the second freight haul they had done as a team, the first being the day before when they did a bit of pre-test practice at the site. That’s asking a lot, but Gus and his buddy delivered.

Sweetbay’s Nova RN TD WRD CanWRDX TDD CanDD, OFA NF-8113, EL-2111
Call name: Nova
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Jean & Mark Ochsner, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

Some Newfoundlands seem born to be draft dogs. Nova was like that. Jean introduced her to the activity and Nova mastered the elements quickly, adding her own enthusiasm and precision. At PNNC’s spring draft test, Jean and Nova were #1, so they were first to compete. That gave them no opportunity to watch others try out the courses, and it gave Jean no time to plan strategy. But it did not matter. Nova gave a fabulous performance, Jean’s handling was tip-top, and they successfully earned their DD at this, their first draft test, with style and flair.

Sweetbay’s Tanner AmCanCD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7777, EL-1867
Call name: Tanner
Born: 1-21-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525 EL-1016
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

Tanner was also entered at the same test, PNNC’s May 23rd spring event. He followed Nova, #2 to her #1, and seemed to draw inspiration from her exceptional work. His basic control was enthusiastic and on the money, his maneuvering was inspired, and the mile long freight haul route was accomplished with nary a bobble. The intriguing distraction (an animated plastic turtle that walked down the park path toward the entrants as it “sang” a country-western tune) caught everyone’s attention, but Tanner barely gave it a second glance as he continued along the freight haul route. He showed excellent self-control, and earned his DD with ease.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCan CDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois M. Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: TN-O (NADAC Open Tunnelers Certificate)

Like many agility dogs, Lyric loves tunnels. NADAC has en event called Tunnelers which is nothing but tunnels. It sounds easy, but with tunnels everywhere you look, it’s almost too much of a good thing. It’s an enormous handler challenge to send the dog through the correct tunnels in the correct order, and to do it under time. The time limits are very tight, so the dogs have to really fly. But you can tell they love it by the amount of barking, and the dogs awaiting their turns on the sidelines seem to encourage the dog running the course. Lyric was fast and accurate, and she qualified in three consecutive runs (over two weekends), earning an Open Tunnelers Certificate on June 13, 2004.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCan CDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF -6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: TG-N (NADAC Novice Touch N Go Certificate)

Lyric has always been a competitive dog in agility, and people are astonished that she’s so fast. But in a Touch N Go course, speed is only half the story. Holding those contacts is the other half, and that’s the “not fun” part for many dogs. Lois knows contacts are important and refuses to let Lyric blow them off, so the two of them had entered several touch-n-go events where Lois insisted on control. As a consequence, the runs were clean but over the time limit. But by this spring, Lyric was clearly listening to Lois and everything clicked into place. She finished her title in two successive trials, earning her final leg at the New Games trial in Elk Grove, CA on June 20th with a fourth place in the 20+ division.

VN CH Sweetbay’s Coast CD WRD DD, OFA NF-7899, EL-1956
Call name: Coast
Born: 1-21-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam:: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Susan Kerby, Morrow, Ohio
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Rescue Dog senior water rescue title)

There’s a lot that goes into the making of a successful WRD performance. Susan Kerby knew what it took, and she made sure Coast was solid on the work. He earned his senior water title early in August, at the first test of the season.

Sweetbay’s Olivia CD WRDX, OFA NF-8222, EL-2199
Call name: Olivia
Born: 3-15-02
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Wahkeena, OFA NF-7129, El-1392
Owner: Rick and Pat Pourchot, Troy, Illinois
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog junior water rescue title)

Olivia had been a water rat since she was a wee thing, swimming with gusto, leaping off boats, charging out to fetch. She had tons of instinct and the enthusiam, but it takes more than that to pass a water test. She had come within inches of passing last year, but her puppy exuberance got the better of her. So this summer, Rick taught Olivia control. They practiced often and trained wisely, and the River King’s water test on August 8, she cleanly passed all six exercises, earning her WD. This was Olivia’s first water title – and also Rick’s – and they both enjoyed celebrating her success.

Sweetbay’s Gracie WD, OFA NF-8111
Call name: Gracie
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Dominique and Rob Dennis, Seattle, Washington
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog junior water rescue title)

Dominique had devised a plan way back in 2003. The following summer, she and Gracie would make their water debut at Seattle’s test. So all summer they trained. Gracie hates being bored, so Dominique had her work cut out for her: how to get in enough practicing to do the training and to proof, without Gracie getting blasÈ or disinterested. But it worked, and Gracie exploded into the water at Seattle’s August 22 test and never looked back. Not till she and Dominique had that WD in hand.

Sweetbay’s Afton WRD, OFA NF-8366, EL-2312
Call Name: Afton
Born: 3-28-02
Sire: CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak CD CanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RN TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Debby Giard, Ravensdale, Washington
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog junior water rescue title)

Afton has always been crazy about the water. But like many exuberantly enthusiastic dogs, the control isn’t there, and there’s no hope for a water title. Debby Giard knows this, so she enrolled Afton in obedience classes over the winter and spring, and when summer rolled around, Afton was ready to learn to focus. Her water work was spectacular – and with the control added, Afton was a cinch for that WD. The judges at Seattle’s water test (on August 22) heaped compliments on the pair for the delightful junior performance.

Sweetbay’s Nova RN TD WRD CanWRDX TDD CanDD, OFA NF-8113, EL-2111
Call name: Nova
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Jean & Mark Ochsner, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Dog senior water rescue title)

Jean is the first to admit she’s a novice at dog training. Why, she didn’t even know if you passed junior at a test, that you could “post up” and enter senior. That’s why, when she passed junior in Seattle’s August 22 water test and folks pushed her to bump up to senior, she was at a loss. She hadn’t even brought any senior equipment. Friends rallied and loaned her the necessary gear – gear totally unfamiliar to Nova – and Jean said she’d give it a try. Which they did. And Nova rounded out a stellar day by passing all six senior exercises, earning her WRD as well.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCan CDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: OAC-V (NADAC Open Agility Certificate -Veterans

Lyric and Lois have always liked the NADAC agility courses as they are open and
flowing, even though times are tight. Lois can’t begin to keep up with this super-fast dog so has to rely on masterful handling and training, and usually works Lyric from quite a distance away. On the
weekend of August 21 and 22, 2004, Lyric got a Q-10 (clean run - 10 points) on
Saturday and a Q-5 (one knocked bar - 5 points) on Sunday. Both runs were
well under time and each was good for second place in the class. And combined with previous accomplishments, the two runs added enough to reach the total
of 30 points needed to finish up her Open Agility certificate.

Sweetbay’s Quin RA WRD DD, OFA NF-8101, EL-2105
Call name: Quin
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Rescue Dog senior water rescue title)

Sue Raney will be the first to tell you that Quin has tons of water instinct and enthusiasm. This summer, she channeled it wisely, making sure she paid attention to Quin’s paying attention, and it revealed its value when Quin was deemed a Water Rescue Dog at High Country’s August 29 water test.

Sweetbay’s Olivia CD WRDX, OFA NF-8222, EL-2199
Call name: Olivia
Born: 3-15-02
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Wahkeena, OFA NF-7129, El-1392
Owner: Rick and Pat Pourchot, Troy, Illinois
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Pat Pourchot had picked up the first two CD legs pretty easily. But she gets very nervous in the ring, and Olivia must have felt badly that Pat wasn’t enjoying the experience. So in her next few times in the ring, Olivia tried to get Pat to lighten up and play, as Olivia cavorted around the ring. Of course, that sort of unbridled zooming gets you a quick NQ. Pat took a break from training and thought through the problem, making some changes in their training regime and also in her pre-trial preparations. Hoping they were closer to being ready and Olivia wouldn’t embarrass her too badly, she sent in an entry. And Olivia qualified with a sterling performance, earning her CD on September 4 with a solid 189. Then, just for grins, they entered Novice B at River King’s regional specialty on October 17. Olivia not only qualified but took first place in the class. As Pat says, “Wahoo!”

Sweetbay’s Nova RN TD WRD CanWRDX TDD CanDD, OFA NF-8113, EL-2111
Call name: Nova
Born: 11-15-01
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCanCDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4603, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Jean & Mark Ochsner, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: CanWRD (Canadian Water Rescue Dog junior water rescue title)

You can tell when a dog in in the groove. Everything just clicks into place. Nova looked so terrific during the summer, training for the water test season, and had turned that promise into reality by earning her WD and WRD at Seattle’s test the middle of August. On September 11, Jean and Nova tried for their junior Canadian title, at the test given by the B.C. Newfoundland Club at Whonnock Lake. And Nova continued her streak, giving a flawless exuberant performance under Jean’s careful handling.

Sweetbay’s Mississippi CD RN WRD, OFA NF-7892, EL-195
Call name: Zip
Born: 3-17-01
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Parmalee AmCanCD AmCanTD AmCanWRD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-5341
Owners: Kathy Robbins, Mt. Airy, Maryland
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog junior water rescue title)

Kathy Robbins knew Zip was a natural from the first time the puppy went to the water. And for two years, while Kathy was concentrating on her older Newf, Zip spent the summers playing at the water. She did everything spectacularly, and had such fun Kathy just sat back and watched her fly. Then, when it was Zip’s turn to aim for water tests, Kathy realized it had backfired. Zip loved water work, but when she felt like doing it, and how she felt ike doing it. Fortunately, it didn’t take too much retraining, and Zip retained all that incredible enthusiasm while learning to focus and perform as requested. They earned their WD at their first attempt, at Colonial’s water test on October 1.

Sweetbay’s Azimuth WRD DD, OFA NF-7237, EL-1470
Call name: Sam
Born: 6-3-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Bounder Can CD, OFA NF-5924, EL-685
Dam: Sweetbay’s Parmalee AmCanCD AmCanTD AmCanWRD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-5341
Owners: Robin and Andrew Nelson, Seattle, Washington
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

It takes two to earn a title. Andrew will tell you Sam failed his first tries at a draft title through errors on his (Andrew’s) part. But this year, Andrew was determined he would not let his buddy down. They trained together with a purpose, and Sam soon demonstrated an amazing amount of finesse, maneuvering intently with absolute skill, and handling obstacles and terrain changes with aplomb. At Seattle’s fall draft test (on October 3), Andrew made sure he kept his act together, and Sam put in his usual terrific performance. The judges heaped compliments on the pair, and happily awarded them the Draft Dog title.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TD RE WRD OAP OJP (VCD1) FN-P OAC-V EGC-V OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AG1, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako Am/Can CDX TD WD TDD, OFA NF-4503, EL-173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF-6525, EL-1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, CA
Title earned: WV-N (NADAC Weavers-Novice Certificate)

The NADAC agility organization created a “games” class called Weavers, whose course contains only
tunnels and weave poles. Dogs fly through tunnels and bang through weave poles, and NADAC sets the time limit on the weavers courses very, very tight. Most dogs can do the tunnels and weaves, but it takes an exceptional dog to do them under time.
Lyric is simply amazing to watch when she does weave poles, but to qualify at these short times she has to do a perfect course at top speed with no hesitations or mistakes. But that hasn’t been a problem for this girl. On October 3rd, at the Horse Park in Del Mar, Lyric and Lois qualified for their third leg, and earned the Weavers certificate. That title was a special one for Lois and Lyric, as it completed all of Lyric’s novice titles in NADAC, earning her a NADAC Novice Versatility Award.

Sweetbay’s Illuminata UD WRD DD, OFA NF-6397
Call name: Lu
Born: 1-14-97
Sire: Ch Majesticall’s General Hannibul, OFA NF-4469
Dam: Sweetbay’s Scout CD TD WRD DD, OFA NF-5140, EL-323
Owner: Susan Kerby, Morrow, Ohio
Title earned: UD (AKC Utility Dog obedience title)

When you earn a CD in obedience, the next (logical) step is a CDX. Most of the exercises are continuations of what you did in novice, and the jump up isn’t all that substantial. Despite that, few CD-earning Newfoundlands go on to earn CDXs. Of those few who do, only a very tiny number ever continue on to earn the highest title, the UD. Susan Kerby was determined that her Lu would be one of the few, and she was proud to announce they had done just that. She took first place at her first two qualifying trials, and her third leg (second place), on October 16th, earned them the utility title.

Sweetbay’s Sloane CDX WRDX DD (NF-6830, EL-1214)
Call name: Sloane
Born: 4-30-98
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Scout CD TD WRD DD, OFA NF-5140, EL-323
Owners: Debby Rothwell, Long Beach, California
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent obedience title)

Debby Rothwell finished Sloane’s third CDX leg on October 17, with a first place in her class and a solid 192 score. The show was in San Diego, and many of Debby’s friends were there with fingers crossed to cheer her on. And cheer they did, when Sloane nailed the heel free, drop on recall, retrieves, and broad jump – and then aced the stays.