MACH Dixie Belle Black MXB MJS owned by Jennifer Sumpter – Algonquin, IL
Shortly after losing her beloved dog of 14 years, Jennifer decided to acquire a dog from a local rescue. During a meet and greet arranged by the rescue, Jennifer was unsure of her decision due to the feeling of not bonding with any of the dogs. Then she met Dixie by accident. Dixie was a 10-week-old puppy that came along for the ride because she was in foster care with one of the prospective dogs Jennifer was meeting. It was love at first sight, and Jennifer couldn’t wait to bring Dixie home.
It had been 14 years since Jennifer had trained a puppy and Dixie tested her patience as puppies do. Together they trained as a team in basic obedience classes; however, due to her high energy, Jennifer decided to try a beginner agility class with Dixie to try and wear her out. After about 6 months, they were both having so much fun that they took the training to the next level by joining a dog training club. In October 2014, just shy of her second birthday, Dixie competed in her first agility trial and, almost two years to the date, on Oct. 16, 2016, Dixie earned her AKC Master Agility Championship (MACH) at the Muscatine Agility Club of Iowa trial.
“She’s been a joy to train and even more fun to watch. She’s been known to perch on the A-Frame with her tail wagging and flirt with the judge. In our spare time, we work together as a therapy dog team and continue to train in obedience. Dixie also enjoys a leisurely ride on my jet ski and playing with her doggy friends.”