Competing in obedience trials requires a particular kind of laser focus, attention to detail, and dedication that make this sport one of the most challenging to master at the highest levels. At the big events, you’ll often see breeds like eager-to-please Golden Retrievers and Border Collies topping the scoreboards. Usually not Airedale Terriers, like “Tanner.”
6-year-old Tanner is the only dog of his breed competing at the upcoming 2025 AKC National Obedience Championship. His owner-handler Anita Smits, from Bloomington, Minnesota, is looking forward to showcasing just how versatile and intelligent this up-for-anything breed can be.
Introduction to the ‘King of the Terriers’
Smits and her husband, Scott Lichty, got their first Airedale, “Max,” over thirty years ago. Smits initially had her heart set on a Golden Retriever, but Lichty was still impressed by the two Airedales he dog-sat as a teenager. He convinced his wife to give the breed a try. The couple immediately fell in love with these tenacious, characterful dogs and their all-round abilities.
Over the years, Smits and Lichty have shared their home with eight Airedales. “All of our dogs have been different, running the gamut from super sweet, to shy, to high energy,” Smits says. But their love of the “King of Terriers” has never dimmed. The couple has demonstrated an impressive dedication to the breed and their respective dog sports of competitive obedience and Upland Hunting and Retriever tests.
Tanner Is Adaptable All Around
Smits’ first foray into competitive obedience with Max was a far cry from the elite-level trials she competes in with Tanner today. “Max jumped the gate and went into the other person’s ring, and the person that brought him back to me said, ‘I think you need some more lessons,'” she says.
However, she fell in love with the sport as she learned more about it. She felt it was a unique way to develop a strong bond with your dog. Since then, her love of the breed and competitive obedience has only grown. Smits is a past President and current member of the local Twin Cities Airedale Terrier Club and is a proud member of the Airedale Terrier Club of America, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
In addition to excelling in obedience with Smits, Tanner, alongside Lichty, also holds Upland and Retriever Test titles. Lichty wasn’t a dog sports enthusiast at first. Initially, he was just enchanted by the tenacious character of the breed. “He loved the fact that they loved to play with him,” Smits says with a smile.
Lichty is also a keen cyclist and had grand plans for the couple to bike together in their retirement. “Never, in a million years, did I think he would come to my side and get into dog training,” she says.
However, the couple recognized how versatile Airedales are. They wanted to offer their dogs the opportunity to tap into their natural drives. These dogs were bred to be generalists who can hunt vermin, retrieve birds, guard properties, and drive livestock.
Despite the breed’s rarity in the gun dog world, Lichty began hunting and field training around 20 years ago with Airedales. He’s now the chair of the Airedale Terrier Club of America’s Hunting and Field Committee.
A Passion for the Sport of Obedience
To compete at the level Smits does with her dogs, you need to be incredibly passionate and willing to put the work in. Smits also credits her success with having the right teachers, and being able to handle the ups and downs the journey brings.
Some sports, like Flyball, are all about speed, and others, like Scent Work, rely heavily on instinctual drives. Obedience trials involve performing a series of exercises that don’t always come naturally to dogs. Scores are awarded at a detail-oriented, half-point level.
“You have to love the process of training obedience to stay in it, because the awards don’t necessarily come rapidly,” Smits says. “There are aspects that are very difficult to get consistency with, and making the transition from training to the show ring — I can’t say even today that I have the magic formula on that.”
Smits credits much of her obedience success to the coaching of her good friend and mentor, Lois Ornat. With Ornat’s guidance, Smits and her Airedale, Jasmine, attended their first AKC National Championship in 2019 — a bucket list goal.
Ornat sadly passed away in 2023, but her lessons and the subsequent classes Smits received from multi-National Obedience Champion Kori Bevis, allowed her to develop her partnership with Tanner, leading them to the multi-title winning position they’re in now.
Smits describes Tanner as sassy, smart, intense, and full of energy. “He has a good heart, and he tries,” she says. Smits and Lichty went through a rigorous research process to identify the right breeder. They were looking for a dog with promising hunting instincts. They did puppy testing with birds to evaluate his obedience potential.
Introducing Tanner to obedience and retriever training at an early age was also a priority for the couple. “Pushing forward with all the different exercises to some level very early on sets up that whole ability for the dog to accumulate information and learn,” Smits says.
Aiming High With Airedales
Tanner and Smits’ partnership is impressive. He holds UDX2 (Utility Dog Excellent) and OM5 (Obedience Master) titles. He’s also racked up 87 OTCH (Obedience Trials Champions) points. He’ll just need 13 more points to achieve the highest obedience honor a dog can receive.
Last year when they attended the National Obedience Championship, Tanner had a great first day. He earned first place in the Terrier Group, and an impressive 90% pass rate on the exercises he performed. They narrowly missed scoring high enough to progress to the Top 50 competition on Day 2 of the Championship. “He was phenomenal, and I was so proud of him,” Smits says.
However, their dreams don’t stop there. “To my knowledge, no Airedale Terrier has made it to the second day. Our goal this year will be to make it into the Top 50, as we always have to have something to strive for,” she says.
Smits also enjoys training with 3-year-old “Riley,” who has the same mother as Tanner. “My hope is to transfer my learning to him,” she says. So, watch this space — we could see two Airedales from the same household competing in future National Obedience Championships.
The 2025 AKC National Obedience Championship is coming to your screens on AKC.tv! Catch all the action on July 6 and 7 to see who will be crowned the next AKC National Obedience Champion!