2009 AKC National Obedience Invitational

Judges – Cathy Dutra

Cathy Dutra currently shares her home with three Shelties, two English Cockers, and one Papillon. She grew up with dogs but did not get involved with the sport of obedience until she was fifteen. She went to a local dog show and as she walked around looking at all the different dogs, she happened upon a ring where the dogs were performing a variety of different skills. As Cathy watched, she began asking questions of the people around the ring. When she got home that evening, she told her parents what she had seen and that a local club offered training classes. Cathy began training the family dog but as she progressed, she convinced her parents that she needed her own dog and they allowed her to purchase a miniature poodle.

After college, Cathy became very involved with a local dog training club and eventually became an assistant trainer and then trainer. She also began judging at workshops and specialty matches, which led to the decision to apply for her judging license. Cathy enjoys judging tremendously and loves being able to judge so many great obedience teams.

Cathy has shown a variety of dogs over the years. She has shown in the breed ring, allowed them to follow their natural instincts by training for hunt and tracking tests, and she recently added agility. She is currently showing her youngest English Cocker in the breed ring and training him for obedience and agility. She is also training her two younger dogs, a Papillon and Sheltie, for obedience and agility and hopes to have them ready to begin their show careers in 2010.

She wants to wish all the exhibitors “Good Luck!” and hopes they enjoy this wonderful competition.