Our family's first dog was a yellow lab named Tessa. I started her training early on with puppy kindergarten and many obedience classes. We began to compete in obedience trials and for a short time, field tests. Tessa was very focused and loved working and training in obedience. She obtained a UKC CD, AKC CD and CDX, WC, CGC, and TT and was partially trained through Utility before she was retired. In our arms, she went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2002.
By this time, my husband and I had two young boys and life just wasn’t the same without a dog in the house. We purchased our first beagle, Rachel, the same year and were immediately hooked on beagles. A short time later we had more than one! They are like potato chips....you can’t have just one!
I want to say thank you to David and Lesley Hiltz of Starbuck Torbay Beagles, Carrie Davis of Talbot Hill Beagles, and Holly Fitzhardinge of Bakerstreet Beagles. They have helped me learn about this wonderful breed and get a good start showing in the breed ring.
We show in AKC conformation shows throughout Oregon and Washington, and will soon start obedience/rally training with River. Our children show in AKC Junior Showmanship and 4H and they really enjoy it!
Tracy