Zelienople dog breeder wins big at Orlando dog show
Renowned Zelienople dog breeder Heather Luster, operator of L&L Kennels, added to her ever-growing trophy cabinet earlier this month when she took home two awards at the AKC National Championship Dog Show in Orlando, Fla. on Dec. 17.
Along with the Westminster Dog Show, the AKC National Championship is among the most prestigious dog shows in America.
Both of Luster’s awards were in the Rough Collie category, as judged by Rita J. Biddle. One collie, nicknamed Coyote, took Best in Breed honors. Another, named Crown, was named “Select Dog,” the runner-up spot for dogs of the same sex as the winner.
According to Heather’s husband, Ronald, Coyote earned his name due to his frequent howling.
Coyote’s “Best in Breed” award moved him into the Herding Group for the dog show, which consists of the best of the “herding” breeds. These include the Collie, sheepdog, German and Australian Shepherd, and Welsh corgi, among others.
The best dog from each of the seven groups advanced to compete for “best in show” at the competition. Coyote, whose official show name is “CH Heatherfield Purple Hearts Reflection,” did not place among the top four in the Herding Group.
Still, Luster is proud of what Coyote did manage to achieve this year.
“He was probably one of the youngest that have won. He's only two years old in three months, so that's pretty impressive,” Luster said. “He beat the top 10 Collies in the United States.”
Already, Luster is looking ahead to bigger things. She intends to bring both Coyote and Crown to the next Westminster Dog Show, to be held May 11-14, 2024, in Queens, N.Y.
“Yes, Coyote will be there, and so will my other one,” Luster said. “Both of them will be at Westminster.”
Along with her husband, Ronald, Heather Luster operates L&L Kennels on Hartzell Road in Zelienople, which has bred several award-winning Collies over the past decade.
These include a “select bitch” award at the 2013 Westminster Dog Show, and a “grand champion select” award at the 2019 Westminster show, as well as numerous “best in show” awards at smaller shows around the country.
Although L&L Kennels will provide boarding services for any kind of dog, the Lusters specialize in boarding and breeding Collies, and they have the credentials to back it up. Heather, who has been breeding for nearly 20 years, is an official judge for the United Kennel Club, and is also a Breeder of Merit for the Collie Club of America.
“I just really liked animals, so I got into it,” Heather said.
Heather doesn’t just breed her Collies to win awards at dog shows. Some of her Collies have gone on to serve as therapy dogs and herding dogs, and have earned licenses and awards for each.
Local viewers may be able to catch a glimpse of Luster on national television this New Year’s Eve, as ABC (WTAE channel 4 in the Pittsburgh area) is showing a recap of the AKC National Dog Show at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
