Well the bigs and their people packed up and headed down from Ontario to Kalamazoo, MI once again to attend UKC Premier!

Premier is a big deal for us, we consider it to be something like AKC’s Westminster, only UKC based.  It is an annual event and ALL of the UKC sports are offered in one place.  This year our breed’s National Specialty was being held by AKKAOA (Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America), and we were invited to compete in the 2018 Top Ten competition.  both Jace and Maeve were on hand to strut their stuff.

Right out of the gate, Maeve went to win the National Specialty with some very stiff competition.  I couldn’t be more thrilled that this girl is getting some recognition!  Jace was in the altered ring and took a reserve grand champion.  During the Specialty, the club also awards one competitor the Showmanship Award.  I am very humbled to say that I (Jessica) won the 2019 Showmanship Award from AKKAOA.

Great way to start our Premier!

The following day, Maeve and I entered the Top Ten ring, while we didn’t walk away with any ribbons, it was an honour to be invited into the ring on that day, and to compete against many seasoned and deserving dogs.

On Friday Maeve got her first taste of proper flat racing.  She loves to go fast and this sport is truly right up her alley.  She raced her heart out and came away from her second race with a 2nd place ribbon!  Jace came to play in the steeplechase earning his USA title!

Because she truly is a “total dog”, Maeve was also competing in the Nosework rings and walked away with a qualifying search toward her exterior title.

We love attending Premier because we get to see our friends from all over the world, all brought together by our love of Klee Kai, and dog sports.  It was lovely to see everyone and as always we can’t wait for next year!