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I was introduced to the world of dog shows by my aunt Carol, who does obedience with her labrador retrievers. She got me an AKC junior handler number for my 10th birthday, and I showed her labs in juniors until my parents agreed I could get a dog. My first dog was Opie, a jumbo, tri colored cardigan who was supposed to be a juniors and obedience dog; however, he was never reliable off lead. After several bad experiences in the Novice A class, I became more interested in conformation. Opie was not show quality, so I started bugging my parents to get me another dog. They eventually gave in, but my dad requested a blue merle. We were lucky enough to be entrusted with a male from Matt and Mary Matlas and Mary Belloff named Sulley. He turned out to be an exceptional dog, and had a very successful show career. I owner handled him to top ten rankings three years in a row. He is a multiple group winner and placer, won best blue dog in the Megan twice, and has several awards of merit from specialties and one from Westminster. He is now pretty much retired (although I show him occasionally for fun), and lives a very lazy life with me in an apartment while I attend college. My third cardigan is Picasso. When Ferris and I decided to breed Twyla to Jack, I was really not expecting to get another dog. However, Ferris insisted I take a puppy, and pretended to give Picasso to me for Christmas so my father would not throw a fit. I ended up finishing him from the bred by exhibitor class with all majors in 3 weekends, including a 5 point major at a CWCCA supported show in Louisville. He has since gone on to win several group placements, including a group 1.
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