Bragging Rights

After warming up in Canada, Higgs returned to the US and polished off his third AKC SE leg at the Greater Boston ED Tests in Gardner, MA on August 09, 2008 to complete his AKC Senior Earthdog Title
Judge was our own Marg Pough.

Higgs was one of several JJ dogs to rack up success during Maritime Madness in Senior ED on July 27, 2008 at the BTC CKC ED Test in Sheffield NB (judge Maria Sacco)
This gives him his first Senior leg.

Do you recall????
....................when Higg's wouldn't!!!

Well that appears to be a thing of the past.
Just one week after an intensive schooling session at Village green Farm with none other than JoAnn Frier-Murza, Higgs polished off his first two AKC ED Senior Legs in fine style on May 31, and June 01, 2008 at the NBTC and NJBEC ED tests. (Judges Russ Wischover and Bill Kasting)

Now lets see if he can follow through in Canada!!!

Higgs also took advantage of his week at "Earthdog Capitol of America" to earn his AWTA Certificate of Gameness on May 26, 2008 (Judge JoAnn Frier-Murza)

That's a Wrap!!!

Lisa and Higgs were really in the groove at the Club Canine Rive Sud shows in Iberville, QC on April 25-26, 2008. They took Winners Dog, Best of Breed on Saturday under Gerona McQuaig for 2 pts, then Winnders Dog under Terry Carter on Sunday for another 2 pts to complete Higgs' Canadian Championship.

What a team!!!

Maritime Madness Success

Just to prove that his 2-point Major in the Maritimes in 2006 was not a fluke, Higgs took Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed for another 2 points at the Fredericton Kennel Club Show in Sheffield in NB on July 29, 2007 (Judge Fred Heal).
Just to top the weekend off, he also passed his Canine Good Neighbour Test - nice going Higgs

Taking Advantage..... again!

while the perfect gentleman with Molly (Parker's mom), Higgs was not about to pass up an opportunity to show Parker the acclamation that showmanship can bring.

As a result he added two more Canadian points to his total by taking Best of Winners and Best of Breed at two of the Oromocto Kennel Club Shows the weekend of June 9-10, 2007 under judges E. Wilde and Don Fitzsimmons.

The picture right, while dark, tells it all... You've come a long way "Higgsy" !!

Taking Advantage.....

....of cousin Bonus!

Bonus decided it was "goof ball" time at the North Conway Show on September 10, 2006 so Higgs managed to notch another point under his AKC championship belt pelt.
The great attitude and mutual support demonstrated by these duelling Border enthusiasts in a fine example of the sportsmanship that we associate with this breed in all its competitive venues.

...and rolling right along with Rally

One of Lisa's objectives for 2006 was to finish Higgs' RN title. Well they did just that on the last unofficial weekend of the summer, Higgs got his third leg to earn his Rally Novice title at the Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine show on September 02, 2006.

On a Roll.......

Higgs was one of several JJ members who scored big in Fredericton. On Saturday July 28, 2006 he went winners dog for his first two Canadian points at the Fredericton Kennel Club show under Argentinian judge - David Ojalvo. He followed this in the afternoon with his first Junior ED leg under JoAnn Frier-Murza at the ECDC ED Test. He completed his Junior ED Title on Sunday under Marg Pough - what a weekend.

Just two weeks later, Higgs earned his American JE with qualifying runs at the Greater Boston Earthdog Club Tests in Gardner MA on August 12th and 13, 2006 (judges Judy Todd and Christine Forbes respectively. Let Lisa tell you about Sunday's performance....

Good Sportsmanship

While many of us were headed back from the BTCA National Specialty in Ohio, Higgs and Bonus, were at the Central Maine Kennel Club shows on June 24th & 25th, 2006
Judge Dorothy Taylor gave Higgs Best of Breed on Saturday for one point and Jane Kay gave him Winners dog on Sunday for one more point. All the while Bonus is demonstrating good sportsmanship and patience, knowing his time will come.

The family fun continues

Higgs and cousin Bonus, again squared off, this time at Vacationland Dog Club shows on May 20th and 21st, 2006.
On Saturday, judge Roger R. Hartinger gave Higgs the nod for Winners Dog and Best of Winners for one point, while on Sunday judge Barbara A. Innes put Bonus up for his first point

All in the family for a point and a leg

Higgs and cousin (a few times removed) Bonus, squared off at the York County Kennel Club of Maine show on May 06, 2006

In Lisa's words

"Higgs and I celebrated his birthday on Saturday by spending some quality time together - at a dog show. It was my first time handling him and he did really well. I was very pleased with his behavior (I think he could tell how nervous I was and didn't want to do anything wrong) and the results." [one point under judge Mr. F J Washabaugh].
"We also entered Rally that day. Even though Higgs was fairly calm and attentive before entering the ring, as soon as we began the course I completely lost his attention due to too many sights and smells distracting him. I nearly just walked out several times in frustration. It was impossible to get his attention back on me. Still, with some encouragement from the judge, we managed to get through the course and ended up with a qualifying score." [judge Mrs. Denise D Lacroix].

Rallying Round.....

Prior to Lisa and Higgs making their debut in Rally Obedience at the Lakes Region Kennel Club on July 13, 2005 Lisa sought and received lots of advice and encouragement from fellow JJ group members...it seems to have paid off!
In Lisa's words:

"Well, it was a success! We actually qualified, not with a terribly high score of 77 out of 100 (70 is qualifying), but we did much better than I had hoped (the friend with me even admitted after Higgs and I went that we performed better than she expected!). Higgs' heeling was not good (not surprisingly to me), he was ahead of me a good deal of the time, but it was the least of the troubles I expected to encounter. He didn't pull hard or veer off course or start barking at any of the dogs outside the ring, all things he can be prone to do. Most of our points taken off were for the tight leash, one point per occurrence. I *think* I talked to him a lot in the ring, but once it was over it was all just a blur!
It was amazing that when I got in the ring and started the course, I really felt like it was just me and Higgs in there having fun, no worries. I am so proud of him and I never expected to be able to do anything close to obedience with him and now we have our first leg toward a title, very exciting!"

The point of the weekend.....

.....was to finish Gunter...
...and Higgs fulfilled his role beautifully at the Lewiston Auburn KC show on Saturday September 25, 2004.
Then on Sunday he shed his "clown image" and stepped out and up to take Best of Winners for a well-deserved first point (Judge Polly Smith)