United Kennel Club Event for young handlers
Tuesday, November 14th, 2006Samantha Gray, 13, and her mother, Tena, drove from Tampa to show Gidget, a 9-month-old Australian terrier, even though they said the puppy’s coat was in an awkward transition stage. “We call it puppy puberty,” suggested Tena Gray.
Gidget still managed to beat out another puppy in her class for a first-place ribbon. Samantha guessed it was the way her ears stand up that made her stand out for the judge. Whatever it was, the win gave Samantha, a two-year show ring veteran, more points toward a spot in the United Kennel Club’s annual equivalent of Westminster for young handlers – the UKC Premier in Kalamazoo, Mich., traditionally held in June. “Everyone here is working toward their invitation to the premier,” Tena Gray said.
For the show organizers, sisters Karen Zumwalt of Keysville and Randi Pyke of Balm, the event was part of an effort to preserve a breed of farm dog that has been in their family for at least four generations: the English shepherd. Proceeds from the show were earmarked for education, the rescue of unwanted dogs and other efforts aimed at fostering the breed’s longevity. About a year ago, the sisters formed the nonprofit Florida English Shepherd Kennel Club, dedicated to bolstering interest in one of many rare canine breeds recognized by UKC. The national UKC organization offers pedigree registrations, competitions and other services to dog owners.
Saturday and Sunday, the sisters and their parents, Ernie and Lois Lundgren, transformed a parcel they use for cattle and sheep on State Road 674 into a show ring, space for vendors’ tents and a temporary campground. The family’s English shepherds were among 15 breeds represented at the event. Unusual breeds included the American hairless terrier, white shepherds, Chinook sled dogs and one dog in a class by himself: Dolf, an 18-month-old Swedish Vallhund. The animal resembles a Welsh corgi but with different coloring, said owner Danielle Lewis, 19, Pyke’s daughter. There were no others at the show, and Lewis said they are hard to find.
For Lewis’ family, however, the real star of the event was the English shepherd. “We’ve had English shepherds in the family back to my great-grandparents,” said Zumwalt, whose ancestors had a dairy farm near Woodglen, N.J. “They were all farm dogs. … They would bring the cows in for milking. They would herd the hogs or even catch a chicken for dinner.” Zumwalt’s mother, who grew up on the New Jersey farm, said the dogs were smart and reliable.
“We had the cows named, and we would tell the dogs what cow we wanted them to get,” Lois Lundgren said. “The cows would be way down in the field, but they would get them.” She said the dogs also killed snakes and guarded the property from strangers. “Everywhere we went, the dogs would be with us,” she said. “I guess they were more like your pals.” Lundgren said most farm families she grew up with had English shepherds. She suggested the breed became scarce because, as farms turned to housing and commercial developments, fewer English shepherds were bred.
The breed is similar to a border collie but herds differently, Pyke and Zumwalt said. The border collie crouches and stares at the livestock, herding “by eye,” they said. English shepherds mingle with cows and sheep and nip at their heels to guide them, the sisters said. They said the dogs are more laid-back and even-tempered than the highly energetic border collie.
English shepherds are not recognized by the American Kennel Club association. Zumwalt said she likes UKC’s emphasis on the importance of canine temperament and performance, as well as breed standards. “You could have a perfect-looking dog, but if it’s going to bite you or your child, it’s not worth having,” she said. She said she has been working her dogs with a small herd of sheep on the property and hopes to start a UKC-sanctioned herding event.
Scarlett Sanders of Chipley brought her 2-year-old white shepherd, Missy, to the show. “We’re after top 10 points,” she said, explaining that dogs build up points by winning shows throughout the year. The top dogs in the nation compete at the UKC Premier event. She said white shepherds, which resemble German shepherds, would be disqualified under AKC rules. Others at the show said they like what UKC events offer children, who can win prizes for learning how to care for and show their animals. Many UKC events include agility and obedience trials.
Young handlers often must be able to answer a judge’s questions about the breed of dog or canine anatomy, said Karyn Pingel of San Antonio, whose 13-year-old son, Aaron, showed several dogs at the Wimauma show.
“There’s a lot of stuff you have to know,” she said. “And sportsmanship is important.”
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