Junior Spotlight

Junior Spotlight: Luke Norman

By Donna Bledsoe

1. How old were you when you started showing dogs? I started showing in the breed ring at 5 years old.

2. Junior Dog/ Dogs and past Junior Dogs? Charlie, my long coat Chihuahua and Cindy my Boston Terrier.

3. What other areas of Dog Shows do you enter besides Junior’s?Conformation in AKC and IABCA.

4. Other breeds you show now or in the past? Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Soft Coated Wheaten terriers, Cesky Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Azawakh, and most recently Pekingese.

5. Most memorable win? My very first time in the breed ring with my Boston Terrier, Cindy. We took BOS!

6. Most embarrassing moment in the ring? My first Reserve Best Junior.  I was handling a 6-month-old French Bulldog puppy, Sparkle!  It was her 2nd weekend out and every time I would get her stacked perfectly, she would wiggle away, and I’d have to start all over again.

7. Toughest win? My toughest win was when I was showing Lance in the breed ring! We had lots of nice competition and we got BOV, BOV Owner Handler and went on to groups for my first time! In Owner Handler groups, we got a group 3!

8. Favorite Dog Show? Fayetteville, Arkansas where I met a lot of friends.

9. Favorite hobbies other than Dog Shows? Fishing, Basketball, and playing video games.

10. Future Dog related plans? Go to Westminster.

11. Future Non-Dog Related plans? I want to be a Brain Surgeon or a Marine Biologist.

12. Who is your Mentor? Donna Bledsoe, Sheryl Wineburner, Tina Starr, and Julie Turner-Hayes.

13. Why do you like showing Chihuahua’s and why did you pick that breed? I enjoy showing Chihuahuas because they are spunky and outgoing once they bond to you.  I picked Chihuahuas because they are cute and small.

14. Any additional thoughts, quotes or helpful ideas you would like to share with other Junior’s? I was told from the beginning that win or lose; you always go home with the best dog.

Junior Spotlight: Marilyn Dempsey

By Donna Bledsoe

1. How old were you when you started showing dogs? 10

2. Junior Dog/Dogs and past Junior Dogs?   Seieacha, Coconut, Charlie, and Vader (current Jr Dogs)

3. What other areas of Dog Shows do you enter besides Junior’s? Conformation

4. Other breeds you show now or in the past? I don’t show any other breeds buts I do help others with their dogs.

5. Most memorable win? When Sriracha came back from being sick and it was the first time in about a month she had shown, there were a lot of kids and I ended up Best Junior.

6. Most embarrassing moment in the ring? The time when Sriracha sat in the juniors ring and wouldn’t walk, I tried not to drag her but she refused to walk and she did that because I changed the lead.

7. Toughest win? When I got 2nd place in Open Intermediate out of 18 with a dog that has never been in the juniors ring before.

8. Favorite Dog Show? Westminster

9. Favorite hobbies other than Dog Shows? Art and playing video games.

10. Future Dog related plans? To work for and become a Handler.

11. Future Non-Dog Related plans? Go to Culinary College.

12. Who is your Mentor? Donna Bledsoe, Cara Ryckman, Chelsea Hahn, Aly Bell, Dan Haley, Melony Lopez, and Angel Lopez.

13. Why do you like showing Chihuahua’s and why did you pick that breed? They are very sweet dogs and can be very hard-headed at times but it makes it more challenging, I picked that breed because we had a rescue Chihuahua that we had all fallen in love iwth previously to showing Chihuahuas.

Any additional thoughts, quotes or helpful ideas you would like to share with other Junior’s?
As another Chihuahua junior had told me when I first started showing dogs, “Never let anyone talk you out of your breed”.

Junior Spotlight: Kate Courtney

By Donna Bledsoe

1. How old were you when you started showing dogs? I was 7 years old.

2. Junior Dog/Dogs and past Junior Dogs? Bellview Butterfly Kisses.

3. What other areas of Dog Shows do you enter besides Junior’s? Conformation.

4. Other breeds you show now or in the past? I’ve only shown Chihuahuas.

5. Most memorable win? When I won Reserve Best Junior Hanlder.

6. Most embarrassing moment in the ring? I haven’t had one yet.

7. Toughest win? When I won Reserve.

8. Favorite Dog Show? Burbank Kennel Club.

9. Favorite hobbies other than Dog Shows? Softball and crafts.

10. Future Dog related plans? Showing and raising dogs.

11. Future Non-Dog Related plans? Going to school to become a vet.  Spending time with friends and family.

12. Who is your Mentor? My Aunt Becky.

13. Why do you like showing Chihuahua’s and why did you pick that breed? I like showing Chihuahuas because they are small and have attitude.  I picked that breed because that’s what breed my Aunt raises and I help her.

14. Any additional thoughts, quotes or helpful ideas you would like to share with other Junior’s? Always use good sportsmanship.  Be helpful and kind to everyone..