Local pooches top dogs
THREE dog handlers from the Port Elizabeth Kennel Club in Walmer took top honours last month at the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (Kusa) nationals – the biggest show weekend in South Africa for dog-handling.
Nannette Perold, Justus Truter and Nadine Shortland took part in Bloemfontein where the nationals, an international event, two interprovincials and four championship shows were held.
Perold and her toy poodle, Noodle, won the Kusa national agility award in the small category. Truter and his border collie, Buzz, won the agility award in the large category. Shortland and Q, a shetland sheepdog, won the national dog jumping competition.
The three handlers were part of four teams of handlers – two standard teams and two mini teams. The EP mini team came second. Teams were for the inter-provincials only.
Perold and Noodle were also placed first in the small category of agility as well as jumping in the FCI show, an international event. They were placed first overall in the small category of combined shows.
The three dogs, as well as two others belonging to Shortland and Truter won qualifying certificates.
The 140 dogs competing were judged in categories – small, medium and large.
Shortland, 38, is a flyball and advanced agility instructor at the Port Elizabeth Kennel Club on Victoria Drive.
Truter, 67, started the sport 18 years ago and has his own training school.
Perold, 51, is the treasurer of the Eastern Province Dog Jumping Organisation.