Fast learner
SAXONBURG — When it came to competition, Luke proved to be a quick learner — and a grand champion.
Luke, a 4Z\x-year-old basset hound, needed just 10 dog shows to reach grand championship status in pure breed, an honor only a handful of dogs in Western Pennsylvania can claim.
“In Butler County, there’s probably not 10 dogs that are grand champions and in Western Pennsylvania, not a dozen,” said handler Gary Nestor, 60, who along with his wife Jeanette, are the proudful owners of Luke.
“We got him as a pet when he was about four months old. The breeder said he had nice form and his feet were not twisted ... Jeannette was going to show and Mitchell Hill has a school. We took him over to run around and got hooked,” Nestor added.
The concept of the grand champion was created by the American Kennel Club to keep breed champions showing in a conformation ring.
After becoming champion, many dogs are retired, giving them new hope to go on showing.
Luke won his grand champion title at the age of 3 and has been just as successful since.
To be a grand champion, a competitor must accumulate more points (25), three majors (more than just a few dogs to show against in the ring) and have three shows where he/she has defeated other champion bassets.
“If you win beat all the other dogs, you’ll get a point, said Nestor. “Sometimes for every two dogs, you get one point and so on.”
It didn’t take the Saxonburg couple long to get Luke up and running, almost taking to it like a natural.
“It took us 2½ years years to get a championship out of him,” said Nestor. “It only took 10 shows to be a grand champion. The criteria is harder, but once the judges know you, it helps.”
Unlike many other owners, the Nestors try to keep things simple, nothing outlandish or over the top.
“Some people pay people to handle dogs, sometimes $75 for a breed and more if they go deeper ... Some people travel in motor homes and travel everywhere ... ” Nestor noted.
And the idea of showing is just for the enjoyment for the Nestors.
“There’s no money in it, just people seeing who has the best dog,” said Nestor.
“We’ve gone as far away as Cleveland, Columbus, Harrisburg, mostly in the tri-state area,” said Nestor. “We have other dogs at home.”
Luke and the Nestors have also competed in several shows in Western Pennsylvania. Waynesburg, New Castle, Pittsburgh, Altoona and Aliquippa are a few stops along the way, but the Nestors are eyeing next month’s event in Butler.
“The Butler show is one of the biggest around,” said Nestor. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s big.”
The Butler County Kennel Club will present the Butler Autumn Classic — licensed by the AKC — Sept. 24-25 at the Big Butler Fairgrounds.
There will be almost every kind of pure-bred dog. Cost is $5 a carload and a portion of the revenue benefits Susquehanna Service Dogs.
Visit www.butlercountykennelclub.com for more information.
