Josh was the first one of us to start
showing dogs. We thought it would be
another good activity for him as he was already doing baseball, swimming, and
other sports, but he needed to fill the in-between seasons with something. He has a natural talent with any dog that
makes us all a little envious. The way
he is in constant eye contact with the judges is one of his best attributes
while showing. When we watch Joshua we
see what the judge sees and that is also how we learned to show. We could not be more proud of him then when
he enters the ring and shows his stuff.
He has such a natural ability for showing that we pray he will turn this
into a career.
In the UKC Rings:
In 2004 Joshua finished the year as 4th
Open Junior in his Region and 13th in the Nation. His points earned him an invitation to the
UKC Premier in Kalamazoo Michigan. At
the Premier Joshua made it through to the Top Junior Final round where he earned
a 10th place.
2005 was another great year for Joshua in
the UKC. Josh was the #1 Open Junior in
Region #1, and 2nd place in the nation.
In 2006 Josh finished as the #2 Open
Junior in his Region and the Nation.
2007 was the best year for Josh yet… He finished as the #1 Open Senior in his
Region and in the Nation. Josh also
expanded his Handling skills and tried out Weight Pull with a friend and her
Pit Bulls. He is really enjoying the new
experience. Josh also placed as the #5
Weight Pull Junior Handler.
Josh is taking a break from the UKC Junior
Handler Conformation showing in 2008 and is focusing on his Weight Pulling
Handling.
At the 2008 UKC Premier in Kalamazoo
Joshua finished 3rd in the Top Ten Junior Handler Competition and 3rd
in the Top Junior Weight Pull Competition.
In the AKC Rings:
In the AKC rings, Joshua finished the 2005
year as a Novice Junior.
Josh started the 2006 show year as a
Novice Intermediate at the Puyallup Fairgrounds in Washington. At his 2nd show in 2006 he won a first place
in a group of 10. Josh has now moved up
to the Open classes!!!
Josh took a break from the AKC rings in
2007, but has started showing again in 2008.
We are hoping that he has a great year ahead of him.
From a recent review of the 2005
N.A.E.D.A. Fall National Show in The Eskie magazine:
“AND last
but certainly not least is my JUNIOR HANDLER, who came from the Open
Junior. This young man was of no doubt a
spectacular handler who cared deeply what he was doing and why he was
there. He was dressed professionally,
presented himself and showed me, as well as anyone looking on, that he has a
great future in a handling career if he chooses that activity.”
Drake,
Sandra. “Judges Critique of the
Show…” The Eskie Vol 2, Issue 3 Jan/Feb/Mar 2006: 19
