• MASTERS OBEDIENCE • CHAMPIONSHIP
Superstar obedience dogs and their handers , including champions from a variety of premier obedience competitions from around the country , will compete in the 6th Annual Masters Obedience Championship presented by Purina Pro Plan ® as part of the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held on Sunday , June 13 , 2021 .
The title of Masters Obedience Champion will be awarded to the top dog in this invitation-only competition . This year ’ s event will continue the tradition of including the sport of obedience at Westminster and , like agility , mixed breed dogs enrolled in the AKC ’ s Canine Partners program are eligible to compete .
The competition will consist of two rounds , each with AKC-approved exercises . One round will contain Open B exercises and the other round will have Utility B exercises . First through fourth placements will be awarded in each round , with the highest score team from either round awarded High in Trial . The Masters Obedience Champion will be determined by the combined individual qualifying scores from both rounds . Qualifying scores will be recorded toward AKC titles .
Invitations will be sent to the top 200 dogs based on AKC Obedience Trial Championship ( OTCH ) points earned between November 1 , 2019 and February 15 , 2021 and top winners from previous Masters Obedience Championships at Westminster and the AKC National Obedience Championships over the past five years . AKC Obedience Trial Open B and Utility B Class dogs that have earned their OTCH prior to February 15 , 2021 are also eligible . The entry limit is 25 and entries will be compiled on a firstreceived basis .
Obedience competition first became an AKC activity in the mid-1930s . Westminster first staged obedience exhibitions and test classes in 1939 and 1940 , and legendary trainer Blanche Sanders directed demonstrations in 1947 and 1949 . Westminster had another obedience demonstration in 1956 . It wasn ’ t until 2016 , combined with the added space provided by the Piers venue , that obedience returned to Westminster .
OBEDIENCE JUDGE
MS . LOUISE BOTKO of Minneapolis , Minnesota , has trained six Miniature Schnauzers through Utility , three completed the Utility Excellent title and two earned the coveted Obedience Trial Championship title . Two of her dogs participated at the National Obedience Championship event . Several dogs have earned Rally titles . Her oldest dog , 14 , is a therapy dog and makes weekly visits to an elementary school and listens to young children read . Her younger dog is ready to begin showing in Open B .
Ms . Botko believes being an Obedience and Rally judge is another extension of the sport she loves . Traveling the country and judging dog shows has been an added bonus for her , and meeting so many dog lovers is really what makes this a wonderful experience . She is approved to judge Obedience and Rally . This is her first Westminster assignment .
SANDRA DUKES
WESTMINSTER There ’ s only one ® 33