The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 61

THE COURIEH-JGL RN AL, SUNDAY, OCTCr-TR 31. 1 Shepherd shows owners a new world DOG SHOWS 3 7 t.i i 'r I The UD title was much harder to achieve. Completing it required a lot of innovative training as Sir was expected to respond quickly to hand signals, directed Jumping, scent discrimination and the other difficult exercises of the utility class. "By taking it easy and building up his confidence slowly and doing a lot of playing along with training, he's still a happy dog." Heath says. The Heaths are active in several dog clubs.

Ed is the training director of the Kentuckiana German Shepherd Dog Club obedience classes, and Cheryl stays busy as a steward at obedience trials. Their latest acquisition is a young German shepherd bitch named Bremlouken's Quality, nicknamed Lady. She is Cheryl's project and is shown in conformation classes. "This time, we went looking for a dog to show," says Cheryl. Heath is continuing to show Sir in open and utility obedience classes.

Sir is among 98 dogs entered in today's Greater Louisville Training Club trial at the Buechel National Guard Armory. Progress Boulevard at Newburg Road, in Louisville. Utility, open and novice classes start at 9 a.m. and continue until late afternoon. The trial will end around 4 30 or 5 p.m.

There is no admission charge, and many of the best obedience dogs of all breeds in this part of the country will compete. TATTOO CLINIC The Kentuckiana Shetland Sheepdog Club is sponsoring a tattoo clinic for all breeds Nov. 20 at the Pewee Valley Veterinary Clinic in Crestwood. The fee is $7.50 per dog- Reservations close Nov. 15.

To register, call Barbara Boylan at (502) 447-4609. MATCH WINNERS Huntabird Gimme a Break, a 5-month-old German shorthaired pointer bred and owned by D. J. and Pattl Keller of Paris Crossing. and shown by Mrs.

Keller, was best puppy at last week's Louisville Kennel Club match. Best adult was Cole's Touch of Country Love, a miniature poodle bred, owned and handled by Elean-ora Cole of Louisville. The total entry was 250 puppies and adult dogs. ft 'SA By SUSAN JEFFRIES Cwrw-Jurnt Spcii WriHf Most people who show dogs didn't start out intending to show. A visit to a dog show, a word of encouragement from a breeder or trainer or possibly that first fun match entry may lure unsuspecting potential exhibitors into the sport.

It's easy for former pet owners to become avid dog enthusiasts, hooked by a simple ribbon and drawn into a whole new world of dogs and people. Ed and Cheryl Heath are prime examples of fanciers deeply involved in the sport who never thought they'd be exhibitors. In fact, they were opposed to the idea. It all started in the spring of 1978 when Heath began looking for a German shepherd puppy to give Cheryl as an anniversary present. They wanted a sound, healthy, intelligent pup, and it had to be a shepherd.

Since Cheryl would have fallen In love with the first pup she saw, Heath visited Helen Gleason's kennel in Georgetown, without CheryL Gleason offered him a couple of young show prospects, but she insisted they be shown. "No thanks," said Heath. "I just can't see myself showing dogs. I'm not the competitive type." Gleason referred him to Dave Bremner, a well-known Louisville breeder, who had a 6-month-old shepherd pup for sale to a pet home. Heath went to see the which already weighed 70 pounds, and it was instant friendship.

He told Cheryl about the dog, and soon the big black-and-tan shepherd named Bremlouken's Montana became a member of the Heaths' household. They nicknamed him "Sir" and settled down to life with a beautiful pet Then the Heaths decided Sir should be trained to be a little more graceful around the house, to come when called and to stay at Heath's side while he jogged. So they entered Sir in a basic obedience course at Jean Futter's training class in New Albany. When the class graduated. Heath and Sir won first place.

They transferred to an intermediate class at Karl Nussbaum's training school and continued with more advanced exercises. Soon Sir was heeling obediently off-lead, running to Heath when called and becoming the graceful shepherd the Heaths expected. They went to a few obedience trials and were disappointed in the quality of shepherds in the ring. "We kept seeing these slinky shepherds in the ring and made up our minds to have a happy, good-looking, eager-working shepherd," Heath recalls. They had a vision, and they were hooked.

Over the next four years, the Heaths and Sir became a common sight at area obedience trials as Heath piloted him to a Companion Dog title in novice classes, a Companion Dog Excellent degree from open classes and finally the ultimate obedience degree. Utility Dog. Sir finished the last leg of his UD title at last month's shepherd specialty in Louisville. Sir's scores have consistently ranged from 190 to 195 of a possible 200 points, and he finished the CDX degree before making any major mistakes in competition. 4i 2g53PraiS1030 W.

Main LI LrJ "No Job Too Large R.C. RADIATOR SERVICE Or Too Small" Walter Cook, Owner 30 DAY SPECIAL 25 OFF RADIATOR SERVICE RemZf 45 Air Conditioning Service I Complete new radiators Start Pfwr. ky mm Mrrt I Heaters cores Ed Heath practiced a fast-heel exercise with his German shep- herd dog, Bremlouken's Montana UD, nicknamed Sir. They'll compete in today's obedience trial at the Buechel Armory. I Alt ottert good onty with coupon must be presented at time Of order.

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