Introducing Sweetbay's 2006 Titlists

Introducing Sweetbay’s 2006 Titlists

We’d like to introduce you to the Newfoundlands and their special owners who achieved titles in 2006.

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: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)

Rally is a relatively new sport. Newf owners who enjoy doing competitive obedience find rally is a lovely addition, as it combines dozens of individual exercises in ever changing patterns. Dan Klotz has done very well with Hara in obedience, so it stood to reason they would enjoy rally as well. They earned their novice and advanced rally titles easily and in short order, and rally excellent also proved to be attainable. Hara earned her RE title in three straight shows in Cleveland. On Thursday, December 15, Hara scored a 97 and tied for third place in a class of 25. On Friday the 16th, she scored a 98 and third place. On Saturday the 17th she clinched the title with a spectacular 99.

Sweetbay’s Emily AmCanCD U-CD RN, OFA 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: U-CD (United Kennel Club companion dog obedience title)

When you haven’t shown a dog in obedience for a while and you’re feeling a little rusty (not to mention nervous), UKC events look pretty attractive. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the venues are usually smaller, quieter, and more low-key. Test sponsors tend to choose judges who are supportive and helpful, and just about everyone who attends hopes you’ll do well. Annie Miksch had been readying Emily for obedience, and wanted to compete in UKC shows as well as AKC. She sent off entries, they went to the trials, Emily knew her stuff, and together Annie and Emily earned her title with ease.

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL-1666
Call name: Benson
Born: 3-19-00
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Padgett AmCanCD, OFA NF-6539, EL-1025
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)

When Benson earned his novice and advanced rally titles easily, Patti Pigeon felt encouraged to give rally excellent a try. They practiced the moves and put them together occasionally in a routine. Then, when Longmont Colorado’s winter circuit (including three rally trials) loomed on the horizon, Patti sent her entries in. Benson’s smooth, elegant heeling and crisp precision were just the ticket in excellent with its more complex, more numerous stations. Patti was delighted to see he already knew several of the moves from his other training. For instance, the particularly tricky “back up” exercise gives most dogs fits. That’s where the dog heels forward with the handler, then they reverse directions smoothly (still facing forward) and heel three steps backwards, then move forwards again. He knew how to back up on command from draft training, where the dog must back up several feet, both with and without a cart attached. He caught on to the rally back up quickly, and the other new moves didn’t take him much longer to master. Longmont’s rally rings were fairly good sized, an advantage for a dog Benson’s size. And he qualified all three days, both starting and completing his title in that one weekend.

Sweetbay’s Alexis AmCanCD U-CD RN WD CanWRD, NF-8169, EL-2157
Call Name: Lexi
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: Tisha & Kenny Norman, Bellevue, Washington
Title earned: CD (AKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Lexi had earned two CD legs the previous year, and needed one more to finish her title. Tisha Norman chose the PNNC Newfoundland Regional Specialty as the venue, crossing her fingers that Lexi would be cooperative and score well enough to qualify. You see, that show is part of Portland, Oregon’s Rose City cluster, which is the biggest show circuit on the west coast, with well over four thousand dogs competing every day. The racket and chaos of all those dogs tends to make for difficult obedience, and Tisha had her work cut out for her. But Lexi was great. She was solid in every exercise – and even took a second place in the class.

Sweetbay’s Emily AmCanCD U-CD RN, OFA 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: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

Rally seems to take all the fun parts of AKC obedience – the brisk turns, the zippy changes of pace, the teamwork and camaraderie between handler and dog – and deliberately exclude the not-so-fun. There’s no “same old, same old” in rally; every run you do is an original. No one else sets the pace; you work through the course choosing your own timing. And most blessed of all, the rules allow you to talk to your dog and encourage him throughout. So rally was a natural offshoot for Annie Miksch. All the obedience training Emily had, starting from puppyhood, made learning how to manage a rally course a snap. They had no trouble earning their RN title – and earning compliments and applause each time they competed.

Sweetbay’s Alexis AmCanCD U-CD RN WD CanWRD, NF-8169, EL-2157
Call Name: Lexi
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: Tisha & Kenny Norman, Bellevue, Washington
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

That third weekend in January was a very successful one for Tisha Norman and Lexi. They completed their CD on Thursday, and on Friday, at the Rose City circuit in Portland, they earned their third leg in Rally Novice, completing that title as well. Lexi loves rally and you can tell she thinks she’s very clever, executing all the nifty little moves that make up a rally course. She and Tisha had a grand time, and they qualified easily.

Sweetbay’s Alexis AmCanCD U-CD RN WD CanWRD, NF-8169, EL-2157
Call Name: Lexi
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: Tisha & Kenny Norman, Bellevue, Washington
Title earned: U-CD (UKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Mt. Vernon, Washington is a small, bucolic town not far south of the Canadian border. It’s famous for tulips – but for us dog lovers, it’s best known for its mid-winter shows. Tisha Norman and Lexi were at Mt. Vernon the end of January, competing in a UKC (United Kennel Club) obedience trial. Lexi was in a groove, having finished her AKC CD title the weekend before, and did an even nicer job at the UKC trial, earning that third leg and her title with ease.

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, Langley, British Columbia
Title earned: CanCh (CKC championship title)

Kyak has always had the looks and the personality of a show dog, but between water work, obedience, draft, musical freestyle, and all his other activities, going to conformation shows took a back seat. When he turned six, Bonnie Fergusson decided to get semi-serious about wrapping up his championship. There was only one problem. Most of the shows she entered (in British Columbia) wound up having only one entry – Kyak. And you don’t earn championship points that way. However, on February 18, there were plenty of dogs – and Kyak took winners dog and best of winners, finishing that CH in fine style.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TDX 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, OFA NF 4603, EL 173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF 6525, EL 1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, CA
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)

Lois decided to do Rally to give Lyric good experiences in the ring so she would do a better job in obedience. Lyric never did understand why she and Lois could talk back and forth in every other sport, yet in obedience both were supposed to work silently. Since rally seems like obedience but you can talk to your dog, Lois decided this might help. Lyric seemed to like it and they breezed through the first two levels, qualifying in three straight trials in both novice and advanced.
However, in excellent, Lyric got creative. First, she fell in love with the food bowls in the modified figure eight. Once that issue was fixed, she invented other glitches. But it wasn’t long before she settled into the rhythm. She finished at Silver Bay on February 24, 2006, earning her Rally Excellent title. Lyric had moments of excellence and at least one of humor when she initially refused to lie down on command immediately after a mysterious calamitous crash near the ring. Fortunately, the redo went well, and since her other stations were done brilliantly, that clinched the resulting title.

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, Langley, British Columbia
Title earned: W-FD ((World Canine Freestyle Organization, Inc. Freestyle Dog title)

In musical freestyle, the dog and handler perform a choreographed program to a song of the handler’s choosing. Bonnie Fergusson and Kyak began musical freestyle not to compete and certainly not to perform in public. Rather, Bonnie realized that the entertaining and inventive moves and tricks would be fun for Kyak to learn. She felt they would help with his other sports, serving as relaxing activities as well as giving her a means to jumpstart his enthusiasm and joie before other sporting events.
Little did she know where this would lead. The last weekend in March, Bonnie and Kyak found themselves at the WCFO freestyle competition in Corvallis, Oregon, competing in the Beginner class. Kyak wowed the crowd with his inventive routine to the rollicking country song, “Kiss This.” His routine was well received by the judges as well as the audience, and his high scores earned the two legs he needed for his novice title.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TDX 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
OJC-V TN-E TG-N WV-N U-AGI, OFA NF 7437, EL 1624
Call Name: Lyric
Born: 12-17-99
Sire: Sweetbay’s Cheechako AmCan CDX TD WD, OFA NF 4603, EL 173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF 6525, EL 1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, CA
Title earned: OAP (AKC Open Standard Preferred agility title)

It’s helpful to set goals if you are aiming for an end product. At times, though, this can come back and haunt you. Lois and Lyric got their first two open standard legs at a four day trial over Memorial Day weekend, in May 2004. Lois was sure she had also gotten her third and final leg that same weekend, only to learn the judge claimed Lyric had not touched the up contact of the dogwalk. So with one leg still to go, they entered more shows, setting as a goal the earning of that third leg that summer. Lois was sure the title would be theirs shortly.
They had some wonderful runs that Lois was sure were qualifying, only to learn that Lyric had again missed that contact. Then Lyric ran much too quickly across the dogwalk during a lesson last September. She lost her footing on the top board and bailed off. She wasn’t hurt, but after that she was leery, and wouldn’t do the dog walk in trials. Lois tried many things: UKC trials (with a lower dogwalk), NADAC (where you can help in the ring).
If you knew Lyric,you’d know how appropriately ironic this is. On April Fools Day, Lyric conquered the dogwalk in her standard run. Not only that, she qualified and took second place, giving her that long-awaited Open Agility Preferred title.

Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RE TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Call name: Darby
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: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

So: rally. Rally? Judi Adler wasn’t interested. It seemed almost babyish, what with the handlers talking to their dogs, patting their legs, clapping their hands. But at the urging of a friend, she agreed to give it a try. To her surprise, she liked it – a lot. Even better, her dogs loved it. Rally consists of fifty different moves to learn. At a rally trial, the judge designs a course using some (not all) of the moves, arranging them in the order he wishes. Then the handler and dog move through the course, at their own speed, performing each action at the requisite station.
Judi decided Darby would be a good introductory partner, and they set out to learn the moves. They had many down already, thanks to a good obedience foundation. The few new ones were shortly mastered. They entered their first trials (three in a row) in Albany, Oregon the first weekend in April. Darby was stellar, passing all three trials with solid 95+ scores, and earning her RN title with ease.

Sweetbay’s Sweetbay’s Sonnet U-CD RA 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 RA TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Sharon and Michael Marcus, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: U-CD (UKC Companion Dog obedience title)

Sharon Marcus will tell you that even though she’s competed in obedience for close to twenty years, she still finds it a challenge, and her nerves can get the better of her. That’s why the UKC shows appealed to her. The rules are similar to AKC obedience, but the trials are always much smaller, much more quiet, and in general are much more welcoming. So when Sonnet became proficient at the novice exercises, Sharon sent in the UKC entries. In February, they earned their first two legs in McMinnville, Oregon, with Sonnet placing second in her class on Sunday. Then, on April 22, Sharon and Sonnet went back to McMinnville to try for that third leg. Sonnet was “on” – and their score of 193.5 propelled Sharon and Sonnet in a run-off for first place in the class. (Which they won, with yet more exceptionally brisk and bouncy heeling.)

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL-1666
Call name: Benson
Born: 3-19-00
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Padgett AmCanCD, OFA NF-6539, EL-1025
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog carting title)

Benson was an exceptionally skilled draft dog, a fact that was apparent the first time Patti Pigeon put him in a harness and hooked him in between cart shafts. He loved the activity, pulling with gusto and with precision, and he earned his draft title with ease. But Patti had a further goal in mind: team draft, with his Landseer housemate, Liam, sharing the work. Even though the boys are both intact (not neutered), they are each other’s best friend, and they thought this was great fun, working side by side in team shafts. And they certainly made a flashy pair, Benson glossy black, Liam a study in contrasting black-and-white. The training went well, and it was clear they were ready to show off their skills in a competition. Fortunately, the local (Denver) Newfoundland club had a test coming up, on April 29, and Patti sent in her entries. There were many single-dog entries, but Benson and Liam were the only team, and they were show-stoppers. They worked fabulously in the basic control (obedience) ring, synchronizing their heeling and recall without benefit of a coupler. The maneuvering was spectacular. And the freight haul was a joy, as the boys moved out along the mile course, heads high, tails wagging gleefully.

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: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog carting title)

Liam took to carting as easily as his housemate, Benson. He thought it was great fun – and when Patti slotted him into her team cart (next to Benson) for the first time, his joy knew no bounds. Liam loves to be part of a team. He looks to Benny for guidance; Benny is his role model, his leader, his guru. Beside Benny, Liam is one happy camper, and they made a terrific team in harness, sharing the load equally, grinning like the world was their oyster. Liam and Benny earned their team draft title on their first attempt on April 29 at the High Country draft test at Lion’s Park in Golden, Colorado. They performed without error and with great pizzazz – despite the constant distractions found at this busy part. They ignored kayakers, kids playing ball, dozens of Canadian geese posturing, lots of loose dogs, a raucous baseball game, tempting food spilled on the ground, enormous trucks rumbling past, dozens of spectators approaching with compliments and questions. Even a totally unexpected unicyclist pedaling past only inches away didn’t phase these boys.

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: UD (AKC Utility Dog obedience title)

Ann Dunnigan and Gus technically began utility training when Gus was a wee pup. Ann introduced him to a few bits of several of the utility exercises. Then life got busy, and Gus went in many directions, earning tracking, agility and water and draft titles. When he finished his CDX in 2004, utility work began in earnest – that is, during his breaks from advanced water rescue work and advanced tracking.
Obedience training consists of lots of small moves that combine to form a complex whole. Utility is hundreds of small moves that are up there in the stratosphere when it comes to complexity. But by spring 2006, Ann felt she and Gus were ready. It was time to enter trials.

Their first three trials were scheduled on the last weekend in April. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Utility trainers hope to pass one trial on such a weekend. Gus passed all three, with glorious scores 194.5, 194, 191.5). It was one of those lovely trials with many trophies for various honors, and Gus took home bags of biscuits for each placement (one first, two thirds). Ann was even happier with the cash awards given for high scoring Newfoundland and high scoring working-breed dog.

Sweetbay’s Lyric CD TDX 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, OFA NF 4603, EL 173
Dam: Sweetbay’s Talisman CD, OFA NF 6525, EL 1016
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, CA
Title earned: OJP (AKC Open Jumpers With Weaves Preferred agility title)

Lyric is an amazingly fast dog. Not just fast for a Newfoundland. She’s fast even by border collie standards. And sometimes her speed, coupled with unbounded enthusiasm, gets in the way of qualifying in the agility ring. Lois’s May show series started off none too promisingly, with Lyric so pumped she anticipated the “go” command and broke her start-line two trials in a row. Lois realizes Lyric still thinks she can do things in her own way at times, but taking off before receiving official permission cannot be tolerated. It’s non-qualifying, and it’s a really difficult habit to break. Lois’s solution: she aborts the course, stopping Lyric at that point and escorting her out of the ring. Lyric goes back into her crate, and (with luck) she reflects on what caused her to miss out on all the fun. Usually, her next run is flawless, with Lyric holding steady (albeit quivering) at the start.

That weekend, because she’s bright as well as fast, Lyric got the message. On her last run, May 7, she ran a superb jumpers with weaves course. She qualified with a first place and was ten seconds under time. This in itself was amazing. But even more amazing was this: Lyric was the only dog in the 20 and 24 inch jump heights that qualified in open jumpers the entire weekend. What a sight for judges and spectators and entrants alike: the only dog to qualify was – a Newfie!

Sweetbay’s Brody RA WD TDD CanDD, OFA NF-8266, EL-2238
Call Name: Brody
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 RA TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Mark & Jean Ochsner, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog carting title)

Jean Ochsner had done a magnificent job teaching her two Newfs to cart. So, she thought, wouldn’t it be fun to have them both work, in tandem? But having one dog pull a cart is an entirely different kettle of fish from teaching two dogs to pull the same cart. Not that that stopped her. First she purchased a spiffy red team cart with three shafts. Right: three shafts meant two slots, one space for Brody, one for Jean’s other Newf Nova. Then came the training. Brody and Nova thought it was a lot more fun to work together, and were soon heeling, paired, with precision and animation. They took to cart-pulling even more readily – a little bit too readily, in fact, and Jean had her work cut out for her, instructing them that they had to go a lot more slowly (no break-neck racing) and that they needed to listen to her and respond to her commands. They got the message and in a very short time were a very polished team.

Their first test was PNNC’s annual spring draft test, this year at Lewisville Park in Battleground, Washington, on May 7. Brody and Nova were the only team entered, and were they ever the crowd-pleasers, with their exceptional work and their perfectly matched exuberance and energy.

Sweetbay’s Nova CD U-CD RE 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 WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Jean & Mark Ochsner, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: TDD (NCA Team Draft Dog carting title)

Jean Ochsner learned draft work when training Nova, her first Newfoundland. Later, when they added a second Newf to the family, Brody was taught to pull a cart, too. But in Jean’s mind, she always saw them working as a team. When PNNC announced it would have a draft test near Portland in May, Jean got busy. Nova and Brody took to team carting instantly; both clearly felt it was much more fun to do with a buddy alongside. Not content with just tolerable work, Jean strove for excellence, working her dogs with clear commands and signals, until their draft work was breathtaking. The test itself was a lot easier than any of the practice sessions Jean had set up for herself, and the judges agreed: there was no doubt that Nova and Brody had earned their TDD titles with exceptional work.

Sweetbay’s Maisie CD RN DD, OFA NF-8251, EL-2225
Call Name: Maisie
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 RA TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title - requalification)

Judi Adler had attended the majority of PNNC’s previous draft tests, and her favorites had always been the ones at Lewisville Park, near Vancouver, Washington. The park follows the Lewisville River, and the picturesque trails and bridges make it a natural for scenic draft work. So when Judi heard that PNNC was again sponsoring a draft test at her favorite site and had judges she respected coming to officiate, she was determined to enter. By then, it was only a month before the test, which wasn’t enough time to start a brand new dog carting and get it up to competition speed. But Maisie had earned her title previously, knew the work, and was utterly reliable. Wouldn’t it be fun, just once, to enter a dog for -requalification? It would be relaxing, showing Maisie: no new dog jitters, just a well-trained reliable girl doing the work.

And that’s just the way it worked out. Maisie sailed through basic control with a lovely bouncy heel-and-recall. Her maneuvering was beautiful, with Judi needing no commands and virtually no signals to escort her through the wooded course. And that one mile freight haul? It was a piece of cake for Maisie, who apparently felt every bit as positive about that park as Judi did. They requalified for the draft dog title with a lovely, effortless performance – and had a grand time together to boot.

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 TD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)

When Sue Raney heard about Rally, she thought, “Quin and I could do that.” So she set about learning the exercises, and then taught them to Quin. He got them down in a jiffy, and they had their novice rally title quite quickly. But advanced rally is all off-lead, and Sue wasn’t sure how Quin would do in all the chaotic conditions of show trials without that leash to steady him. As it happened, he did just fine, earning his advanced titles easily and with very nice performances. Their third leg was an exciting personal best. A perfect score is 100; Quin received a 99, and took first place in the class.

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: RAE (AKC Rally Advanced-Excellent title)

Hara had romped through all three levels of rally: novice, advanced and excellent. She had garnered compliments by the bushel along the way, and folks urged Dan to continue. What’s beyond excellent, the highest level? Why, “advanced-excellent” of course. To earn rally’s AE title, you must enter both the advanced and excellent classes at a trial and qualify in both. And then do the same thing at nine more trials. Dan knew Hara was having fun, so he thought, “Why not.” And they gave it a go. Ten trials later, they had their RAE title. They never had a failing performance, and except for one score of 92 (ver good in itself), their scores were always 97 or above. They placed in an amazing seventeen of the twenty trials. Most of the classes were quite large, twenty dogs or more, so placing this frequently was an amazing accomplishment.

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

Sharon and Sonnet’s first rally leg came at their first rally trial, in Puyallup, Washington. Sonnet coped well with the commotion and the noise level present at this large conformation/obedience/rally show, and scored a solid 96. Her subsequent tries were at a much smaller venue, in Elmira, Oregon, at a two ring rally/obedience-only trial. These shows were outdoors, on a mowed-grass field. Green grass is handsome to look at, but difficult to deal with if you want smooth handler footwork, which you need for rally. It was doubly difficult for Sonnet, whose favorite activity in the world is tracking. That grass was home to a multitude of field critters. But she kept her nose in neutral and her attention on Sharon, and they qualified easily both days, finishing up their novice title.

Sweetbay’s Nova CD U-CD RE 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 WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owner: Jean & Mark Ochsner, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

Jean and Nova went to the same shows as their friends, Sharon and Sonnet. Puyallup posed no challenge for Nova, who despite her “first-timer” status looked like she’d been competing in rally for years. The Elmira trials that followed went even better. Jean and Nova had trained well, and they aced both shows, scoring a 96 (and first place) on Saturday and a spectacular 99 (and another first place) on Sunday. The cheers as they exited the ring only confirmed how well this team had done.

Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RE TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Call name: Darby
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: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)

Darby thinks rally is just a different form of obedience. She does each course with concentration and class, smoothly gliding from one station to the next, never getting ruffled, never getting inventive. It’s truly gorgeous to watch her, nd Judi does her best to keep the spotlight away from herself and on her dog. They earned their first two rally legs at those outdoor Elmira trials. Darby scored a 99 on Saturday (taking third place) and a 94 on Sunday. Then it was on to Canby, Oregon, to a much larger venue (breed plus obedience). As luck would have it, it was the hottest day of the summer, and the show was outdoors. Judi wasn’t sure how her dogs would cope with the heat, but a turn in rally lasts maybe a minute and a half, so it should be okay. Sure enough, their turn came at the hottest part of the day. But Judi had soaked Darby with cool water, and splashed a lot on herself in the process. Into the ring they went, and Darby was right there with her as Judi worked her way through the course. The duo wrapped up their RA title when they scored a solid 99 (third place) - along with dozens of compliments from the spectators – and the judge.

Sweetbay’s Fiona AmCanCD RE TD WRD AmCanDD, EL-1924
Call name: Fiona
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: Judi and Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)

Judi Adler was enjoying rally. She was showing two Newfs at each trial: Darby and Fiona. They were as dis-similar as could be. Darby’s black; Fiona’s a Landseer (white with black markings). Darby is smooth and elegant, and shows her enthusiasm subtly; Fiona is a cross between a pogo-stick and a spinning top, and if she could talk, every second word would be “wheeeeee!” So it was quite fun showing two such different girls at the same trials. However, there was nothing of the “opposite” about how they worked. Fiona also showed fine style in her rally-advanced career. She earned her first two legs at small outdoor trials in Elmira, Oregon, scoring a perfect 100 on Saturday and a 99 on Sunday. Then it was on to Canby, on that awful hot day. The temperature was inching above 100 as Fiona’s turn neared, and the ring was in full sun. Fortunately, the trial site was a fairgrounds, and Judi found a faucet and wetted Fiona down just before their turn. Already-jazzed Fiona got even more so once she was wet, and she bounded through the course, finishing the stations to applause, and earning a solid 99 (and second place) as well as her RA title.

Sweetbay’s Remy CD RN WRD, OFA NF-9157
Call Name: Remy
Born: 5-19-04
Sire: CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak AmCanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RN TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

Judi Adler had begun Remy’s obedience training, but when an injury sent her to the sidelines, husband Ellis took over. They added rally work to the lesson plans, and Remy showed real aptitude for this new sport. Ellis entered her in two trials in Lynden, Washington, six hours from home. This was a big adventure for Remy, since it included her first overnight stays in a motel, as well as her first time at a breed/obedience type situation. They qualified both days, with nice scores in the 90s. Then it was on to Salem, Oregon, for a try for leg #3. The show site was the state fairgrounds, and that weekend it hosted a dozen events, from motorcycle rallies and cow shows to a county fair complete with dozens of scary rides and throngs of screaming kids. Oh, and did I mention the air show going on overhead? It was a crazy venue, and no one would have blamed Remy if all that ruckus was too much for her. Especially since her rally class was hours late, and all that sitting around on a very hot summer day tends to dent a dog’s interest and enthusiasm. But she qualified nicely, scoring a 94 and fourth place.

Sweetbay’s Faeroe CD RN WD, OFA NF-8603
Call name: Faeroe
Born: 1-26-03
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Esme AmCanCD TD WRD AmCanDD, OFA NF-7215, EL-1456
Owners: Anne & Morgan Seeley, Bainbridge Island, Washington
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog title)

It had been eons since Anne Seeley last earned a water title. But Faeroe seemed just the girl to change that. She showed her love for water at a very, very young age, and her enthusiasm only grew. When Anne’s schedule finally lightened up enough that she could do a bit of training, Faeroe was thrilled, and her water skills blossomed with each training session. They frequented several sites in the greater Seattle area, including one beach on Bainbridge where their “save the drowner” work was interrupted by the Lady Washington, a sailing vessel, firing her cannons as she sailed past. Anne knows the importance of training with distractions, but even she admitted that was too much!
Faeroe’s first try for a WD was at PNNC’s September 2 water test in Woodland, Washington. There were no cannons firing, but plenty of other distractions made their appearance. To no avail: Faeroe romped through basic control, then aced the five water exercises, earning her Water Dog title with ease.

Sweetbay’s Remy CD RN WRD, OFA NF-9157
Call Name: Remy
Born: 5-19-04
Sire: CanCh Sweetbay’s Kyak AmCanCDX WRD CanWRDX DD CanDDX W-FD FDN, OFA NF-7189
Dam: Sweetbay’s Darby AmCanCD RN TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owners: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: WRD (NCA Water Rescue Dog title)

It’s usually Judi who does the exhibiting in water work, while Ellis provides the training help and support. But this year, Judi bowed out and Ellis stepped up. Remy had earned her junior title in Seattle in 2005 with a lovely performance – despite being in season and having to be crated all day while she awaited her turn at the very end of a very long day. This year, she wasn’t in season, but that’s not to say she was hormone free. She had come in season two months earlier, and was positive she was whelping puppies on the water test weekend. (It’s called pseudocyesis, or false pregnancy, and Remy had a major case.) Ellis and Judi would not have been surprised if her attention had been divided. But she worked magnificently, focusing on each task as it came up, and cleanly doing the job. She passed all six exercises on Sunday, including an extra-extra-deep water underwater retrieve, and earned her “R” with style.

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL-1666
Call name: Benson
Born: 3-19-00
Sire: Ch Ralee’s Winddancer, OFA NF-4890, EL-247
Dam: Sweetbay’s Padgett AmCanCD, OFA NF-6539, EL-1025
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: WRDX (NCA Water Rescue Dog Excellent title - requalification)

When the national club put together plans for a super-advanced water division, the general feeling was that the tasks were so arduous, you’d have to be a truly super water dog to even have a hope of passing. There’s no question the six tasks take intelligence, initiative, and strength. But Benson makes them look like child’s play. In fact, he had such a good time earning that WRDX the first time (years ago) that his devoted duo of handlers, owner Patti Pigeon and friend Maria Rizzuto, continued to enter him, to Benny’s utter delight. Denver’s September water tests had a pirate theme, complete with treasure chests and swashbuckling stewards, and all those “maritime marauder” vibes made it extra fun as Benson again aced the six exercises on Saturday, requalifying for his third time at the X level.

Sweetbay’s Olivia CDX 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: WRDX (NCA Water Rescue Excellent Dog title)

When Olivia was but a wee puppy, Rick Pourchot sent breeder Judi Adler a photo his wife had taken at Olivia’s first outing at the water. It showed Olivia sailing off the back of a boat, with a huge grin on her face. “I think she might have a future as a water dog,” Rick commented in his note. And was he ever right. Olivia clearly loved water, and all the fun things one can do in a lake. She loved charging out to save people, swimming at top speed to rescue water gear that was about to disappear downstream – and best of all, leaping from boats to effect rescues. She earned her WD and WRD with nice performances, bringing cheers from the crowd. But a WRDX isn’t so easily earned. For one thing, there are far fewer opportunities. In this case, the Pourchot family found themselves in Texas – a long commute from their home in Illinois. But the trip was oh so worth it when Olivia conquered each of the difficult “X” tasks and earned her WRDX.

Sweetbay’s Mississippi CD RN WRD, OFA NF-7892, EL-1951
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: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

Kathy Robbins had been training Zip for obedience, but the hot summer days put the idea of showing on hold. In the meantime, friends persuaded Kathy to give rally training a try. “It’s fun,” they said. “It builds confidence,” they said. “It even helps the dog do better in obedience,” they said. So in August, Kathy downloaded the rules, printed up the rally signs, and went to work. Zip took to rally from the first introduction. She loved that it felt like obedience but Kathy could talk to her, interact – why, she could cheerlead during the exercises. Their first rally trial was in October at a glorious historic horse farm in Virginia. The site alone made it worth entering. But Zip made Kathy even happier by earning her first leg with a nice 96 score. Two days later, at her second rally trial (at the same site), Zip did even better, taking second place in a very large class with a whopping 99 score. They tried for their third leg at an indoor trial heavily attended by the serious obedience folks. It was a no-nonsense venue – except for the pack of biker babes, clad in leather and chains, each with a snarly rottweiler forging ahead, crowding right outside the ring. Kathy worried that Zip would worry and that their rally work would fall apart with this over-the-top (and scary) distraction. But she could have saved herself the anxiety. Their third leg came easily – and with a perfect 100 score.

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, Ohi
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

It had been a long, long time since Susan Kerby was last in a draft test. But when South Central’s fall 2006 draft test popped up on the horizon, she and Coast went to work. Fortunately, Coast is a natural at carting, and in a very short time he was performing complex maneuvers with skill. It’s a good thing, too. At the test, the freight haul route was one of the most difficult ever, with portions going right along the banks of Indiana’s Eagle Creek Reservoir – and Coast does love the water. But the most difficult part were the dozens of hills scattered along the mile. The paths up and down were so narrow, there was no room for the handler to be at the dog’s side. Susan frequently had to lead the way, or – most often – send Coast on ahead. He did the route magnificently, working briskly but halting on a dime each time Susan asked. And they earned that DD with pride.

Sweetbay’s Mississippi CD RN WRD, OFA NF-7892, EL-1951
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: CD (AKC Companion Dog novice obedience title)

Zip comes by her name honestly, for two reasons. One is her distinctive white blaze that runs from chin to belly. Streaking through her shiny black coat, it looks very much like a full-length zipper. But “zip” also refers to her energy level and enthusiasm, and it was those qualities that Kathy Robbins wanted to bring out when they trained for the novice obedience exercises. The training went well, and Zip clearly enjoyed the sport. Their first trial was outdoors at a lovely horse farm in Virginia, and Zip qualified easily, taking first place in her class with an impressive 195. Then it was on to indoor shows, with Zip again qualifying and coming in fourth in a class of mostly professional trainers. The third leg was interesting. Zip’s judge lost her concentration after beginning the off-lead and gave Kathy the wrong command, then followed on her heels, apologizing, babbling and fussing, for the remainder of the pattern. Despite this strange behavior by a judge – distracting to dog and handler – Zip kept it together and again qualified, earning her third leg (and fourth place) and her CD.

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Coast CDX 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, Ohi
Title earned: CH (AKC Champion title)

When Susan Kerby decided to show Coast in breed, she knew it would mean traveling to out-of-area shows. It’s not like obedience, where three legs (three successful shows) get you a title. Or tracking, where you only need to pass once. Showing in breed is a major commitment, one that racks up miles on the van and provides all sorts of interesting experiences. Perhaps the high point for Susan was Coast earning the final two points in mid-October, in Memphis. Not just because he “finished,” but because Susan also fit in a trip to Graceland. You know Susan has her heart in the right place when you see her commemorative photo. It’s not Coast show-stacked inside the ring, that boring professional photo every conformation person collects by the dozens. Instead, Coast posed in front of Graceland’s gates. Oh, and did I mention the McDonald’s hamburgers he feasted on, all the way home? Food for a champion, indeed.

VN Ch Sweetbay’s Coast CDX 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, Ohi
Title earned: VN (NCA Versatile Newfoundland title)

When the Newfoundland Club of America designed a special title to commemorate dogs who were both beautiful and smart, Susan decided that was a good goal for her Coast. So they began training, working and showing. Water was a cinch for the boy; he had no trouble collecting both a WD and WRD in short order. Obedience also fell into place once he and Susan developed good communication. Then, this October, Susan wrapped up the last two bits. Coast earned his draft title in Indiana on October 8, and finished his championship the following weekend in Tennessee.

Sweetbay’s Aurora CD MX MXJ 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: MX (Masters Agility standard title)

Anna began her agility career with her family’s black lab, and she was very successful. Then Rory joined their household at eight weeks old, and it wasn’t long before she began learning agility. As Rory progressed, Anna’s skills as a handler really grew. Early on, Anna made the decision that Rory would compete in the regular (not “preferred”) division. Rory was sound and athletic, and could handle the full-height jumps. One level at a time, they earned their novice, advanced, and finally their excellent titles. But Rory and Anna were still having way too much fun to retire, so Anna set her cap for the Master’s title. They had needed three excellent legs for their agility excellent title, but they now needed ten excellent legs for the master’s. Despite limited trials in their area, Rory accumulated those legs quite quickly, with exciting performances. Midway through the title, Anna and Rory received the official invitation to compete in the AKC national championships in Long Beach in December. Anna set a quiet goal: for Rory to finish up the master’s before they competed in California, and Rory came through, earning her tenth leg on October 21.