AWSA Championship, Handlers Diana Updike and Michelle Koons
This was probably our least favorite thing to do, but most often Kyra came through and was a sport about it. I wasn’t above “tricking” her when necessary to bring back her spirit so she would show well. We usually did our best if we arrived late, went into the ring, and left. Any time we had to hang around for a weekend, we were both stressed.
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WSCC Championship, Handlers
Michelle Koons and Diana Updike |
One of the best “tricks” I pulled on Kyra was in Kentucky when she needed her 4th Champion of Champion win as she was going for her second Grand Championship with UKC (1st as a white GSD, and then as a White Shepherd of the new breed). She was bored out of her mind and it was clear she wouldn’t show well. I told her we were going home. I packed everything up, turned on the air conditioner in thecar, piled her in and sat in the car. When it was time to go in, one of the exhibitors called me and we went running in last. It was a nice group of about six dogs. |
UKC white GSD Champion,
Handler Judy Huston |
Kyra was happy to be going home—after our little detour. When he pointed at Kyra for the win, he told me that “clearly she showed the best.” She also took Best of Breed.
Fulfilling potential and showing versatility was always my goal and since Kyra had the potential to win in the show ring, I showed her in everything that was close enough and didn’t conflict with performance events. |
She started her show career with Best Puppy at the Canadian National in 1996. She followed it with Best Puppy, and National Best of Breed at the 1st AWSA National held in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan in 1996. She earned both her AWSA and WSCC championships the following year in 1997, followed by UKC Champion and 1st white UKC GSD Grand Champion.
We changed to the new breed, White Shepherd, and started over.
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UKC White Shepherd Grand
Championship, Handler Judy
Huston
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She became one of the first five dogs to show as the new breed in New Jersey in 2000 and she became the 1st White Shepherd Grand Champion in Iowa in August of 2000. Following these championships, we earned her Rare Breed of Southwest Ontario and Federation of Rare Breeds Championships.
We would have pursued ARBA, but there weren’t shows close enough or at the right time. |
RBSWO Championship,
Handler Judy Huston |
In summary, she earned eight championships, including Best Puppy at both the WSCC and AWSA National shows and Best of Breed at both the 1996 and 1999 AWSA National shows and Best of Opposite Sex at both the 2000 and 2001 National Specialty Shows. (She went opposite two fine specimens: Dylan and her half-brother, Polo.) Opposite to her in 1996 and 1999 was Tenderluv Tyler one of the most winning shepherds of his time. |
Federation of Rare Breeds Championship, Handler Judy Huston
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MORE CONFORMATION PHOTOS
Kyra 1996 Best of Breed |
Kyra's 1999 National BOB Win
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Kyra UKC GSD Championsm
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Best of Breed National Showring |
Kyra 2001 Best of Show National
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Kyra First 5 White Shepherds
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CRYSTAL'S LADY IN RED "KYRA"
UAGCH, AWSA, WSCC, UKC GRCH(2), RBSCWO, FORB CH CRYSTAL'S LADY IN RED "KYRA" CGC(2), TDI, TT, HIC/s/c/d, DSA, NA, CPEL1, RA2, ASCA/RB CD, FDCH, HT, PT, HCT, JHD, WETT, PDX, 0-VCCX, OFA H&E, CARDIAC, THYROID, CERF, vWF 65%, UKC-DNA-P, GSD HEALTH MERIT AWARD EXCELLENT--White Shepherd--DOB: 9-20-95 DOD: 6-26-05
KYRA HOME |
