Top Dog: Carroll Student and Canine Pal Advance in Competition

Carroll Middle School student Erin Turman is among the country’s top young dog handlers competing in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship’s Junior Showmanship competition in Orlando, Florida December 14–15. As a result of hard work in the show ring and classroom, Erin a CMS 7th grader, with her Australian Shepherd – Briarbrooks Invincible will contend for a top placement and scholarship dollars at this invitation-only event.

The Junior Showmanship competition is judged on the handler’s ability to present the dog with skill and confidence. All juniors entered will compete in Preliminary classes, from which a specified number of juniors will be selected by the judges to compete in the Finals. The Junior Showmanship Final will be video streamed on www.akc.org.

Eligibility to enter is based on the juniors’ accomplishments in school and previous dog shows. Juniors entering are required to:

• Be at least age 9 and under 18 years old at the time of the wins.

• Have five wins in an Open Class with competition present between October 11, 2012 and October 9, 2013.

• Have a grade point average of at least 3.0, or equivalent, for the 2012-2013 school year.

Four scholarships from Eukanuba Dog Foods will be awarded to junior handlers during the National Championship: the first-place winner will receive $2,000, with $1,500, $1,200 and $1,000 going to second, third and fourth place, respectively.

The AKC’s junior handler events are aimed at recognizing and supporting the special relationship between young people and dogs, encouraging responsible dog ownership and promoting dog show participation for future generations. For more information about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and the Junior Showmanship competition, please visit www.akc.org/aenc.