Top dog heads to big show in New York
Chilliwack’s Bella is Canada’s No. 1 German shepherd
Chilliwack champion Bella, a three-year-old German shepherd show dog, is heading to New York this weekend for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Bella is no stranger to the limelight, and according to one of her owners, Jody Duin, she loves every minute of it.
“We knew pretty early on that she was a unique dog,” said Duin, who lives in Chilliwack and has been showing dogs for about 10 years.
“She has such a unique attitude and temperament and it was clear she loves the ring and doing the work.”
Bella is also owned by Duin’s seven-year-old daughter, Parker, who has been helping to train dogs since she was four years old, and the dog’s handler, Courtney Penner.
Penner will be showing Bella in New York on Saturday.
Although Parker and her mother won’t be there because of other commitments, they will be cheering at home.
Last year, Bella was the No. 1 German shepherd in Canada and the No. 6 show dog in Canada. Out of the 2,630 entries at the Westminster show this year, only 63 dogs are from Canada and only one is from the Lower Mainland.
Her breeder, Sandy Anderson, lives in Langley and has been a breeder of top German shepherds for three decades.
“She has the heart to do it. She’s just one of those once-in-a-lifetime dogs,” said Duin.
Parker is also showing great interest in a possible career as a dog handler.
At such a young age, she has already competed in Best of Breed at a competition in the United States, where she won, over the professional handlers, Best of Winners. She started showing dogs as a Peewee handler at the age of four.
“We have a great team. Bella and Courtney are really in sync ... When you watch them, it’s just undeniable how much Bella loves the work,” said Duin.
She said sometimes people misunderstand dog shows, but she wants everyone to know they are just a regular family that loves German shepherd dogs, and says this has been a great opportunity for Parker, who loves working with dogs and horses.
“Showing dogs can be a lot of work, but to see my daughter, at seven, going to all these shows, meeting some phenomenal, special people, that’s what keeps us coming back,” said Duin.
“She has the will and desire that I don’t even see in a lot of adults. She likes the spotlight and it’s a great confidence booster, and gives her a sense of responsibility.”
Penner lives and works in Chilliwack and operates Lil’ Snippers Dog Grooming Chilliwack. This is her first time attending the show with a German shepherd.
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an all-breed conformation show that has been held in New York City every year since 1877. In 2015, Miss P, a beagle from Enderby, became the first B.c.-bred dog to win the Best in Show at the event.