By Barbara Teigen, AKC Executive Field Representative
Near Stokesdale, N.C. (Nov. 4-5, 2006)
Beautiful fall color and chilly frosty mornings formed the backdrop for two well-attended earthdog tests held near Stokesdale, N.C., Nov. 4-5. Four den areas and four judges, including Mary Clarose from Hawaii, allowed the three regular classes plus Introduction to Quarry class to progress at the same time. The den area of the master class was a particular delight with oak leaves lazily drifting down on the dogs and handlers.
Both days' tests ran smoothly and were capably secretaried by Patricia Walters. Hard-working Parson Russell Terrier Association of America club members backed her up with great gate stewarding, rat stewarding and anything else that was required. They also got ample assistance from participants who weren't club members. The awards ceremonies were completed shortly after 1pm each day - not bad at all for tests with 90-plus entries. There was even time on Sunday after the event for a qualifying A Match run by the Carolina Terrier Association, a club looking to further expand earthdog activity in the area.
There were many legs earned and titles completed over the weekend. Some especially stand out. Two dogs double qualified in Master and Senior each day to claim impressive "Iron Dog" rosettes. They were the same two overachievers both days, and members of the home team, so to speak: Parson Russell Terrier Roxy handled by Fred Haynes and Parson Russell Terrier Nelson handled by Patricia Walters. There was also a historic occasion when, to the best of everyone's knowledge, 9-year-old Rat Terrier Cuji (Little Rat Man), owned by Wendy Anderson, earned junior legs both days to become the first Earthdog titled dog of his breed. Rat Terriers were added to the list of breeds eligible for earthdog as of Sept. 1, 2006.
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 is at honor.', 460, 430)) |
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 collected master legs 29 and 30 over the weekend, according to owner Beth Kravetz.', 460, 430)) |
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, 9-years-old, is believed by his owner Wendy Anderson to be the first of his breed to earn an Earthdog title by qualifying both Saturday and Sunday and earning his JE. (Rat Terriers were added to the list of breeds approved for Earthdog as Sept. 1, 2006.)', 460, 430)) |
