Meet Franessa Limpach and her All-American Dog, Sierra, who have earned many agility titles and have competed in the national AKC Juniors Agility competition. Franessa was just 8 years old when she met Sierra, then age 8 months.
Name: Franessa Limpach
Age: 17
Grade: High school senior
Hometown: Racine, WI
Family: Father, Roger Mauer; half-brother, Brian
How did Sierra come into your family’s life? How old is Sierra and do you know what breed/mix she is? “Sierra came into my life when I was about 7 or 8. We had gotten a new dog, because my older dog had passed. Sierra will be 10 this coming November and she is some kind of cattle dog mix.”
What got you started in training Sierra? Is your family involved in dog training/showing? “My aunt, Melodie Limpach, has been involved in agility for 15 years now and she is the one that got me started doing it with Sierra when I was 8 years old.”
Is agility your only sport or do you compete in other sports with her? “Agility is the only sport I have done with her.”
What agility titles/honors have you earned with Sierra? Limpach’s Sierra AX, AXJ, AD, SSA,SS,SR,SG, SJ,AJ, AS
How did you decide to enter the national AKC Juniors Agility competition? “The people I have trained with have always suggested I enter, but I never have. I decided to enter it this year (2014), because this will be the last year I will be able to do it, since I will be 18 next year.”
Do you own any other dogs or pets? “I co- own a Doberman Pinscher with my Aunt Melodie, named Kenya Von Dynasty AX, OAJ who has been training/competing in agility with both my aunt and I. She will also be competing at the National Junior Agility Competition in the 24″ class. I also have a bird at my house named Crystal who likes to pretend she is a dog by barking.”
What are your future goals in the sport of dogs? “My goal is to try and earn a Master Agility Championship.”
Do you plan to do something animal-related as a career? “I am currently deciding between marine biology and criminology as my majors.”