Introducing Sweetbay's 2012 Titlists

Introducing Sweetbay’s 2012 Titlists

We'd like to introduce you to the Newfoundlands and their special owners who achieved titles in 2012.

Lois and Neela

Sweetbay’s Neela CD RN TD CSL1-F CSL1-R CSL2-S, OFA NF-10760, EL-4385
Call name: Neela
Born: 3-21-09
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL-1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, California
Title earned: CSL1-F (CPE Specialists Level 1 Fun Games agility title)

Agility devotees have several venues in which they can compete. CPE, or Canine Performance Events, is one of Lois Apfel’s favorites. On the weekend of Jan 7/8, Lois and Neela entered the level 1 events. Neela ran well, qualifying in all three of her rounds to finish her level 1 Fun title. The word “Fun” is misleading, since there is no “fun” course. Rather, to earn the title, you must compete and qualify in both Jumpers and Full House. To make it even more confusing, in Full House, you choose your own route through the obstacles in the ring, earning points with each one the dog completes. It’s pretty much up to you, but it must include three jumps, two “round” obstacles (tire, tunnels), and a five point obstacle (teeter, dog walk, a-frame, weaves, broad or double jump or a combination jump). To qualify, you need to earn a specific number of points before the course time limit expires. Neela was also successful on her jumpers course – thus earning her first agility title.

Neela flies over the double bar during her agility run

Jess

Sweetbay’s Jesca CDX RE TD, OFA NF-10489, EL-4115
Call name: Jess
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)

Jess loves everything about rally: the speed, the variety, the intricate tasks. And Rally Excellent has plenty of challenges, which makes it even more fun. Jess earned her first two RE legs at the heavily-attended Vancouver shows on October 29 and 30, 2011. The rally rings were in a big drafty horse barn, and it was bitterly cold that weekend. Handlers froze, but it was perfect weather for a Newfie! Jess scored a 99 (for first place) at the first trial, a 97 (again first place) at the second. Then, in February 2012, Jess had her next opportunity – two trials in Albany, Oregon. The first trial (on Friday) was interesting. The course started with four stations in a row: a 360 circle, a jump, a moving drop and a recall. The interesting part was that the jump was offset considerably to the left. You had to send your dog out to the left, then zig back to the right for the next station. There was very little time or space after the 360 to give the command, and quite a few dogs refused to jump or sidled past it. Judi had to smile, though. Judi had created that exact set-up not long ago during their proofing sessions, and they worked until Jess could ace the offset jump every time. And that’s what she did in the trial. Jess scored a 100 – the only dog in the class to do so – taking first place, and earning big smiles from the judge. That gave her the RE title. Then, just for fun, Judi showed her on Saturday as well. That one was an interesting experience for Judi. There were nearly fifty people in the two excellent classes, and the judge had them do their course walk-through simultaneously. It looked like Grand Central Station at rush hour in that ring; there was barely room to move. There was no way to work out your pacing and spacing. So Judi left the ring and studied the course map instead, memorizing the stations and the order. And of course it was one of those convoluted courses that crossed itself every which way – a total crazy-quilt of a course. Despite the lack of a walk-through, Judi and Jess “connected the dots” without error. They earned their fourth RE leg, scoring a 98 (again for first place).

Cabot

Sweetbay’s Cabot CDX RE, OFA EL-3710
Call Name: Cabot
Born: 10-6-06
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owner: Leesa Hobbs, Garden City, Idaho
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent advanced obedience title)

Leesa and Cabot entered two trials over the July 4, 2011 weekend at Redmond, Oregon. They came home with two open legs! Eastern Oregon is hot in July, but obedience was (blessedly) indoors, in an air-conditioned building. Even better, there was plenty of room to set up crates and chairs, and there were abundant spectators to cheer Cabot’s success. Then it was a nine month dry spell, with several trials coming oh so close, but not qualifying. (Anyone who’s competed in Open knows that’s pretty much a given.) Then came the Golden Spike trials in Utah, on March 23-25, 2012. Leesa loves those shows, and this year, Cabot was solid. He qualified all three days, the only Open A dog (of 14 entries) to do so – and placed in the ribbons each time. Even better, he earned hearty compliments from all three judges – and huge hugs and kisses from Leesa.

Jean and Nico

Sweetbay’s Nico RA WD (NF-11172, EL-4760)
Call name: Nico
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owner: Jean and Mark Ochsner, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

Nico is the second Newfoundland Jean Ochsner has trained. She’s learned a lot since her first dog. For instance, it’s good to get your dog used to the dog show environment long before you actually enter a trial. So Jean took Nico along (just to spectate) at a couple of shows in late 2011. To her surprise, Nico was totally at ease, taking all the noise and chaos in stride, relaxing in her crate and calmly walking around the rings. This was a good omen. Their training was coming along smoothly, too. So in February 2012, Jean entered Nico in her first events: two rally trials, at the Linn County trials in Albany, Oregon. Nico clearly enjoyed herself. She was smooth and focused and happy in the ring, wagging her tail and smiling at Jean the entire time. Their score of 89 was all Jean’s doing: she misread a recall station and finished Nico left instead of right, a ten point deduction. But it was qualifying, and Nico’s first RN leg. The second day, Jean made sure to read more carefully, and they took fourth place with a lovely 98. Watching them in the ring, you would never have known these were Nico’s first-ever shows. They finished up their title a month later, at the Chintimini (Salem, Oregon) trials, scoring 99 and taking second place.

Vivi

Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD WD TDD, OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: RE (AKC Rally Excellent title)

There are small shows in or near Denver – and then there’s the Rocky Mountain Cluster in February. Maria Rizzuto describes it as “an insane show” due to the huge number of entries and the masses of spectators. To add to the ambiance, the trial is set in an ancient, scary building, and the flooring creaks and vibrates constantly. Vivi picked up one leg on Sunday, scoring a solid 90.

Then something unexpected happened. The AKC totally revamped rally, and the new rules went into effect April 4. That meant Maria and Vivi had two dozen new stations to learn, because any of the new novice, advanced or excellent tasks could be on the excellent courses. The novice and advanced stations were fairly easy to assimilate, but a few of the new excellent stations were absolute buggers. Maria’s first trial, under the new rules, was at the Terry-All show. And, as you’d expect, the judges were eager to employ those new stations. Maria and Vivi passed for leg #2. It wasn’t smooth sailing, but it was definitely qualifying.

Their third leg came on May 6th, at the Mountain States trials. This trial circuit is a particular favorite. The rings are well-run, the judging goes smoothly, and Maria was thrilled when Vivi qualified for that third leg.

Sully

Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD (EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

Each weekend in December, Patti Pigeon and her Newf Sully gave cart rides to countless children as part of downtown Golden, Colorado’s Christmas celebrations. Patti had taught him the rudiments, and he learned the nuances during the cart riding sessions. Such as coping with distractions, ignoring children who scream and run around, dealing with strangers in weird costumes – why do people wear those crazy reindeer antlers on their heads. Then, when spring rolled around, Patti and Sully did some focused training, meeting with friends each weekend. They were very well prepared for the spring draft tests sponsored by the High Country Newfoundland Club – and Sully passed on his first attempt, on May 12th. The rules require dogs to be eighteen months old to enter, and Sully – at twenty months – was one of the youngest dogs at the test. He was also one of the most solid, performing each task at a level far beyond his years.

Terri Desnica (center)and Ian (her new draft dog) pose for a celebratory photo between judges Gerri Willis and Sue Raney.

Sweetbay’s Caspian WD DD
Call Name: Ian
Born: 9-23-10
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Terri Desnica, Lakewood, Colorado
Title earned: DD (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

At Christmastime in Golden, Colorado, the downtown merchants go all out. There are pageants, caroling, a candle-lit parade … but the highlight has to be the cart rides given by the Newfoundlands. Every year, the Newfs gather to give ride after ride after ride to excited children. This past December, Terri Desnica’s Ian made his debut at the Christmas cart rides. He was fourteen months old, and he got in a lot of quality practicing. Terri did a little arithmetic and realized Ian would be nineteen months old when the HCNC spring draft test rolled around. Dogs must be 18 months old; Ian would squeak under the wire. So they did a bit more practicing over the winter and early spring. And come May 12, Ian and Terri were ready. Ian was the youngest dog in the test, but you never would have known it from his performance. He was steady and focused and totally in harmony with Terri. His one mile freight haul was especially nice. There’s a lot that can happen unexpectedly during that mile, but he gave Terri no “nail biter moments” whatsoever. At the conclusion of the test, judges Gerri Willis and Sue Raney were delighted to present Terri and Ian with their Draft Dog title and trophy.

Vivi

Sweetbay’s Vivian CD RE TD WD TDD, OFA NF-10505, EL-4130
Call name: Vivi
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Maria Rizzuto, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: DD requalification (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

The High Country Newfoundland Club supports its working members by sponsoring multiple events each year. There are four options for draft titles: two in the spring, two in the fall. The previous spring (2011), Maria Rizzuto’s Vivian had qualified for her DD. This spring, Maria entered her in High Country’s test (on May 12, 2012), hoping to requalify. And Vivi was a gem. Everyone who watches her has the same comment: “such a lovely job!” Vivi is every bit the lady when she carts – even down to the somewhat pouty expression when asked to do the bits that aren’t quite as much fun. But her enthusiasm comes to the fore during basic control, and it really amps up during the freight haul. It’s like she’s sure all those spectators at the park came just to see her. She made it easy for the two judges: every bit of her performance was flawless, and she requalified with ease.

Sully

Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD (EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: DD requalification (NCA Draft Dog carting title)

All the pressure was off. Patti Pigeon and Sully had qualified at the first of two back-to-back draft tests. The second (Sunday, May 13) draft test was also at a little local park in Golden, Colorado, quite close to home – and the weather was cooperating. All the signs were good. So Patti loaded Sully up in the Suburban and headed to the test site. And Sully did another lovely job, acing basic control (with one eye on Patti and the other on the kids’ soccer game in the neighboring field). He was the most cooperative of dogs during harnessing and hitching, and he did every bit of the maneuvering course elegantly – including a beautiful back-up. And then making his way through the freight haul at a measured pace, walking along, stopping for a moment to look at the scenery, then ambling along again. It was an easy decision by the judges: a pass all around for this young boy. Good job, Sully!

Patti and Sully practice their on-lead rally heeling

Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD (EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: RN (AKC Rally Novice title)

If you like obedience and you frequent dog shows in Colorado, the Mountain States trial weekend in May is a must-do. Mountain States also offers great rally classes. On May 5, Patti Pigeon entered her young Sully in rally for his first try at a Rally Novice leg. The judge was really testing the bigger dogs, as the course was full of 270 and 360 degree turns in tight quarters. Despite being a big boy, Sully managed those with ease, and he did a great job overall, qualifying with an 87. However, Patti admits that it had been many years since Patti had been in a rally ring, and their lost points were all from handler errors. Patti resolved to do better at Sully’s subsequent shows. A month later, they were at the Flatirons Kennel Club shows in Evergreen. It was one of those sweltering Colorado weekends, with the outdoor temperature in the 90’s, and it was even hotter inside the metal trial barn. Despite the heat and all the distractions of a well-attended trial, Sully held it together both days, qualifying easily and earning his RN.

Nico

Sweetbay’s Nico RA WD (NF-11172, EL-4760)
Call name: Nico
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owner: Jean and Mark Ochsner, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Title earned: RA (AKC Rally Advanced title)

Jean and Nico trained for rally novice and rally advanced at the same time. This meant learning a multitude of exercises, especially since the AKC had dramatically increased the number of rally exercises only a few weeks before. Thus, when Nico completed her RN, she was ready to jump right in to RA work. Jean entered two rally advanced shows on one weekend in April in Canby, Oregon. Saturday, the two were elegantly synchronized, working quietly together, performing each exercise smoothly and then gliding on to the next. They received hearty applause from the spectators, and many compliments from the stewards. But when the scores were announced, Jean was perplexed. When she inquired about her oddly low score, she learned that the judge had docked them ten points for “lack of teamwork.” Apparently, the judge wanted the handlers to chatter at the dogs and interact with them vocally and physically throughout the course!

Jean wisely decided that was an aberration and did not alter her smooth handling style. Sunday, she and Nico had an equally lovely run, earning effusive compliments (from the judge) on their smoothness. The only bobble was when Nico chose to go around the broad jump. But under the new rules, that’s a ten point penalty (rather than an NQ), so they received their second qualifying ribbon. Their third leg was beautifully uneventful, with Nico taking first place in a big class with a 94, and earning compliments from the judge for her enthusiasm and energy

Jess

Sweetbay’s Jesca CDX RE TD, OFA NF-10489, EL-4115
Call name: Jess
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Judi & Ellis Adler, Sherwood, Oregon
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent advanced obedience title)

Jess and Judi worked hard on the CDX exercises. They weren’t quite solid when their local (Canby, Oregon) April trials rolled around, but Judi entered anyway. Saturday, April 28, Jess surprised Judi no end by qualifying with a 196.5, tying a border collie and an aussie for first place. Holy toledo! Then, this being open, she not surprisingly NQ’d the broad jump the following day. (She really hadn’t been solid yet.) The next shows, in June, Jess was confident, and Judi entered happily. But they proved to be unforgettable. Jess had three tries to earn the two needed legs to complete that CDX. On Friday, June 22, she qualified easily with a 195.5 for first place, earning leg #2.

Then, Saturday, when things were going fabulously, the unbelievable happened. When the judge handed Judi the dumbbell for the retrieve on flat, it was the wrong dumbbell – and despite frantic searching by the stewards, Jess’s dumbbell was nowhere to be found. But hers had been right there, on the stewards’ table, and Judi and the stewards knew it. Fortunately, one steward had seen what happened. She was a post when Jess was doing her figure 8, and she saw a competitor in the class walk up to the steward’s table and pocket Jess’s dumbbell. The judge was taken aback, and she sent the stewards to find him. However, he was nowhere to be found – and the judge refused to allow Judi to get her spare dumbbell. So that was an NQ day. (With unbelievable gall, the competing entrant came back into the building shortly after that, handing Judi her dumbbell with a smirk and an insincere, “Oh, I think this is yours. Sorry.”)

Still reeling from the blatant thievery of the day before, Judi and Jess showed on Sunday – and Jess earned her third leg with a 189.5. Some people are good at letting such incidents go; it’s like water off a duck’s back. But Judi was still upset about it. (Cheating – stealing another’s equipment – rankles.) So she entered Jess in back-to-back Open B shows in October, with the goal of having an event-free, enjoyable, qualifying weekend that would remove the bad taste of the June trial. And that was just what came to pass. Jess aced both shows, scoring a 189.5 on Saturday and a stellar 195.5 on Sunday.

Ian has a firm grip on his bumper as he tows the adrift boat to shore.--photo by Katherine Payne

Sweetbay’s Caspian WD DD
Call Name: Ian
Born: 9-23-10
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Terri Desnica, Lakewood, Colorado
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog water rescue title)

Ian was quite the baby when Colorado’s July water test weekend rolled around, and Terri hadn’t planned to enter him at all. But she decided to support the local club with her entry. She would look at the two tests as expensive fun matches. On Saturday, July 28, his basic control was adorable, perky and bouncy and easily qualifying. He retrieved his bumper and boat cushion with ease. He even zipped out to the calling stranger, bringing the line. The tow-a-boat exercise, though – now that one had been problematic all summer. Yet Ian swam out, grabbed the bumper, and towed that boat straight into the sand, like he’d done it perfectly hundreds of times before. With only the swim with handler exercise to go, Terri relaxed – and Ian dashed off up the beach and headed for their tent – an automatic NQ.

But on Sunday, July 29, Ian put it all together and qualified. He worked even better at basic control, at the retrieves, and for the take a line. Terri was nervous about the tow-a-boat exercise; despite his lovely job the day before, she knew Ian wasn’t solid. But Ian motored on out, intent on grabbing that bumper from the steward who was calling him out. Unfortunately, the steward bobbled her job. Instead of reaching out and handing Ian the bumper, she almost fell in the water, causing the boat to rock alarmingly, almost tipping over atop Ian. He got scared at this unexpected turn of events and headed back to shore. Terri was able to redirect him out, only this time the steward kept mum, and she dropped the bumper into the water long before Ian arrived. (Thus turning into the much-more-advanced WRDX “abandoned boat” exercise.) Again, Ian was puzzled; something wasn’t right. No one was calling. There was no bumper in sight. So he turned back to Terri for further directions. At that point, the frustrated judges intervened. They (rightly) told Terri that steward error was at fault, and after briefing the steward carefully, they gave Ian another try. The steward did her job well, Ian grabbed his bumper, and then towed and beached the boat. He followed that with a lovely swim with handler, earning his WD.

Sully, shown by Jay Acker, racks up another win on the journey to his championship

Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD (EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: CH (AKC Champion conformation title)

From start to finish, Sully earned his championship in exactly six months – remarkably quickly, especially considering his young age. Patti Pigeon’s friend, Jay Acker, recognized Sully’s promise from puppyhood, and had been eager to get the boy’s show career on the road. Their first win came on February 19th, when Sully took a three point major. Then on June 2 and 3, at the Flatiron shows, he picked up two more three point majors, and went Best of Winners both days. The following weekend, at Colorado Springs, he earned two more points. Then on August 18, he finished his championship by going Best of Breed from the classes for four points. The following day, he again took Best of Breed, this time from the specials class.

But reciting when he won, and how many points he got, is just a small part of Sully’s story. At the same time he was in breed, Patti was showing him in rally. Frequently, he would do his rally exercises on the dirt floor, then race straight over to the breed ring, and in they’d go. No time for primping or fussing, no time to catch his breath – just zip and zoom. It didn’t matter. Sully is always presented “naturally” – not fluffed and foofed and sprayed to the max, but simply shampooed and thoroughly combed out. His judges definitely appreciated his glossy natural coat – and the substantial body beneath it. It doesn’t hurt that he has a lovely floating way of moving, with reach and drive. Sully also knows just how to grin and sparkle at a judge, to add that last little bit of irresistible charm that puts him on top.

Jean and Nico head for shore after completing all six exercises, earning their WD

Sweetbay’s Nico RA WD (NF-11172, EL-4760)
Call name: Nico
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owner: Jean and Mark Ochsner, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Title earned: WD (NCA Water Dog water rescue title)

The 2012 PNNC water test was a small one. Saturday, September 15, there were only eight junior and two senior entrants. Surprisingly, none of the eight entrants had obedience titles, and thus, all eight had to do basic control. Jean and Nico were #7 in catalog order.
The first six dogs had an easy go of their heeling and recalls. Jean and Nico weren’t so lucky. Midway through their heeling, a guy in his excessively souped-up hot rod drove into the park, stopped right outside the ring, and began revving his engine without pause. It was really loud, almost unbearably so. It spooked Nico, although she managed to finish the heel portion. Then, blessedly, the hotrod went silent. On the recall, Jean left Nico in a sit-stay. As she walked away, the guy hit the throttle once again, and the sudden, ear-bursting vroooom startled Nico, who popped into a stand. That’s now an NQ in the newly-revised water test rules. Jean was philosophical, shrugging her shoulders while recognizing the bad luck of the timing. At that point, the hot rod guy drove off. Dog #8 then did his basic control, and he had a quiet time of it in the basic control ring, as had dogs 1-6.
Apparently the judges recognized this, as they approached Jean and told her, “Everyone else had the same circumstances, but you had a totally different situation, including an extreme distraction, and that isn’t fair.” They allowed Jean and Nico to repeat the entirety of their basic control exercises. Which they did, perfectly. And then they followed that with five fast, enthusiastic, squeaky-clean, picture-perfect water exercises, earning their WD.

Sully

Ch Sweetbay’s Sullivan RN WD DD (EL-4795)
Call name: Sully
Born: 8-10-10
Sire: Sweetbay’s Farrington, OFA NF-10008, EL-3663
Dam: Sweetbay’s Hayley WRD DD, OFA NF-10036, EL-3686
Owners: Patti Pigeon, Golden, Colorado
Title earned: WD requalification (NCA Water Dog water rescue title)

It had been an unusually busy summer for Patti Pigeon. Although they had tried to make the training sessions at Chatfield, she and Sully weren’t far enough along on his WRD work to enter him in senior. So she re-entered him in High Country’s July 28th water test, entering the junior division, hoping to requalify. Sully was his usual delightful, exuberant self, romping through all six exercises with speed and zest. But the spectators in the know were watching, eagle-eyed and baited-breathed, to see if Patti would repeat her last year’s WD handler performance. Not just one day but both days, she had stepped firmly on the take-a-line rope as Sully was headed out to the steward. It had cost him the title the first day; the second day, he simply bit down hard (and probably said a few canine curses), yanked the line out from under her foot, and completed the rescue, earning his WD. This day, Patti was extra-careful to stay away from the pesky seventy-five-foot take-a-line rope as she sent Sully on out to the “drowning” steward. She still has no idea how it wound up wrapped around her ankle!

Remy delivers the dumbbell to Ann during a qualifying run in Open

Sweetbay’s Remy CDX RN WRDX, 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 RE TD WD AmCanDD, OFA NF-6811, EL-1205
Owners: Ann Dunnigan, Afton, Minnesota
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent advanced obedience title)

Remy started her Open career at the Total Recall School in Hugo, MN, at their April 2012 shows. She earned one leg that weekend, with a 182.5. then, as often happens in Open, little glitches showed up. By September, though, Remy had the exercises mastered, and she and Ann were working as a smooth team. She qualified for her second leg at the Anoka trial with a 195, and earned the third leg the following weekend, at the Twin Cities miniature schnauzer club trial with a 196. Then, because they were having such a good time and because they’d already sent the entries in, Ann showed Remy at a three-day show in early October. She aced all three days, scoring 193, 185, and 193. Ann will tell you, with a smile, that Remy is always the highest scoring Newfoundland in the trials. True, at many events, she’s the only Newfoundland entered. But even when there’s competition from other Newfoundlands, Remy’s high scores do the trick.

Neela sails through the tire jump

Sweetbay’s Neela CD RN TD CSL1-F CSL1-R CSL2-S, OFA NF10760, EL4385
Call Name: Neela
Born: 3-21-09
Sire: VN WA CH Sweetbay’s Benson CDX RE WRDX TDD, OFA NF-7511, EL1666
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Lois Apfel, Lakeside, CA
Title earned: CSL2-S (CPE Specialists Level 2 Strategy Games agility title)

The weekend of October 6 and 7 was a buty one for Lois Apfel and Neela. They competed at the Agility Club of San Diego’s CPE trial at the Hidden Valley Obedience Clubs grounds. They had several Q’s that weekend, including a Q each day in level 2 snooker. This completed the snooker requirements for their strategy games title. (The two jackpot legs had been earned at previous trials.)

Snooker rules are complex, and understanding them is not for the faint of heart. Explaining them would fill a small book, and at the end, you’d probably still be shaking your head, going “Huh?” But Lois knows them – a good thing, too, because you need that knowledge to qualify when things go a bit differently than you’d planned. On Saturday, Neela took down one of the red jumps in the opening – whoops! - but Lois managed to redirect her to the last red jump before she took another obstacle, and thus they qualified, with 36 points. Sunday’s run was smooth and clean, with Neela scoring 41 points. (Dogs need at least 26 points at this level to qualify). They took first place in each run. Now they will be working on earning the strategy games’ next level’s title. In agility, the better you do, the harder it becomes. But then, that’s just the way Lois and Neela like it.

Petra and Sharon do some speedy warm-up heeling during a training session in a local park

Sweetbay’s Petra CDX U-CDX RN UR01 WD DD
Call name: Petra
Born: October 6, 2006
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay’s Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Taylor, OFA NF-8333, EL-2288
Owners: Sharon & Michael Marcus, Portland, Oregon
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent advanced obedience title)

Petra’s first CDX leg was May 7, 2011 at Ely Arena in Canby, Oregon. It’s a great site. Sharon loves the dirt floors in the cow barn, not only because they muffle the usual loud sounds at a large obedience trial, but also because the dirt surface is safer for jumping. Petra seemed to really like it also, because she jumped and retrieved with great enthusiasm. She has a happy attitude from the time she goes into the ring until she leaves, and therefore tends to garner lots of smiles from judges.

Her second leg, also on a dirt surface, was at the horse arena in Ridgefield, Washington, on October 29, 2011. She again approached the jumping and retrieving with tail-wagging happiness, and received much praise from observers outside the ring for her effortless, flowing stride on the fast part of the heeling pattern. The judge that day owns and shows giant dogs in obedience, and he was very complimentary about Petra’s performance, acknowledging her efforts with many compliments.

Then, after a hiatus of nearly a year, Sharon entered Petra in the October 14, 2012 trials in Sherwood, Oregon. This was a quiet, small venue, with an indoor ring. Since they had not been in shows for so long, Sharon spent more time than usual getting Petra to focus on her outside the ring, doing some light body massage and getting her to play with her dumbbell. The result was successful, because Petra earned that third leg, and an AKC CDX.

Ruca clears the broad jump with ease

WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD, OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: CDX (AKC Companion Dog Excellent advanced obedience title)

Sue and Ruca had been working on the Open exercises for a while, and Ruca clearly was having a good time. They’d even had a bit of time to proof the tasks at local parks and Petsmarts. So, to support their local Newfoundland club, Sue entered Ruca in Open A at the Newfie regional (Friday, September 7) at Greeley, Colorado. Since there were other shows that weekend, Sue entered those as well.

At the regional, to Sue’s surprise and delight, they qualified! They took first place in their class, and Sue was thrilled with their trophy: a lovely set of Newfie coasters. Saturday, Ruca did a nice job but – this being Open- chose to let her drop on recall fall apart. Close, but no leg.

Their next chance came the following day, on Sunday, September 9. Just before Sue and Ruca’s turn, a friend approached and gave Sue a pep talk, instructing her to not be nervous, but to just relax and have a good time. This was a hoot, since Sue’s friend is a total basket-case in the ring. Sue was still laughing at this “pot calling the kettle” advice as she and Ruca were called into the ring. They worked easily through the heeling exercises, Sue smiling the whole time. During the drop on recall, Ruca dropped nicely, then came in – but as soon as she got within reach, she started barking! She was standing stiff-legged, her withers fur straight up, woofing her head off. Sue had no idea what was going on, but she signaled the finish, and then they continued onto the next exercise. (Later that afternoon, a steward cleared up the mystery. She laughingly told Sue that just as Ruca did her recall, a never-used, invisible staircase had descended from the building’s ceiling and a maintenance man clambered down the rickety steps. Ruca must have thought Martians were landing!)

Ruca managed the rest of the exercises (though she was still watchful for those space aliens) and earned leg #2 with a third place. Delighted with their successes, Sue raced home and sent off more show entries, almost before she unpacked the car. On October 27th, they finished it up at Greeley with a beautiful performance. As Sue says, “Ruca was happy and solid on all the exercises. We had a great time!”

Ruca

WA Sweetbay’s Ruca CDX RE WRD TDD, OFA EL-4152
Call name: Ruca
Born: 4-4-08
Sire: VN Ch Sweetbay's Liam CD RN WRD TDD, OFA NF-7984, EL-2023
Dam: Sweetbay’s Ellie, OFA NF-9695
Owner: Sue and Mark Raney, Arvada, Colorado
Title earned: WA (the NCA’s Working Achievement degree)

The Newfoundland Club of America offers honorary titles to those dogs who earn a specific assortment of titles. The Versatile Newfoundland award goes to any Newfoundland possessing a championship, a CD, a WRD, and a DD. But what about those fabulous working dogs who excel in many areas of dog sports, but have no interest in the breed ring? Shouldn’t there be a title for them? Why should being spayed or neutered (and thus ineliglble for the breed ring) make you unworthy of honors? Mindful of this, the NCA recently created the Working Achievement award. To earn it, a dog must have his CDX (mid-level obedience), his DD (draft dog), and his WRD (water rescue dog) titles. In addition, he must earn an additional three titles from a list of fourteen possibilities.
When Sue and Ruca earned their CDX in October, that title completed their requirements for their WA award.