The Westminster spotlight on this site for 2011 is veterinary professionals; veterinarians and veterinary technicians, who show dogs at Westminster.
In this interview, meet Mo, a Australian Cattle Dog owned by Sherry Dodson, a veterinarian from Texas. Dr. Dodson never intended to show dogs, it just happened. She also shows in obedience and herding trials. Additionally, Dodson has lent a hand as a veterinarian at dog shows, treating sheep and examining a steer. Meet Dr. Dodson and learn more about Mo in this Westminster Vet Interview.
Meet Mo the Australian Cattle Dog
1) What dog are you showing this year? (name, age, gender, breed)
Answer: My dog is a male Australian Cattle Dog. He is 5 years old. His call name is Mo. His registered name is GCH Moonfly's Iceblue Flame PT RE CGC.
2) How many years have you shown at Westminster?
Answer: This is our second year at Westminster. He won an Award of Merit here last year. He is the first show dog I have ever owned so it is also my second year at Westminster.
That being said, I am a spectator at Westminster when my dog is in the ring. He has a wonderful professional handler in Sherri Samel Hurst.
3) What can you tell us about this breed, and how did you become interested in this breed?
Answer: I have had this breed for over 20 years. They are wonderful working ranch dogs as well as great pets.
I met this breed for the first time when I was in college before I entered veterinary school. The first Australian Cattle Dog I met belonged to a friend who had a ranch. Very quickly I could see they are good working dogs and they have proven it consistently over the years at our family ranch as well as my veterinary practice.
This breed is very dedicated to their owners. Cattle Dogs are active and need a job. They also need to be well socialized.
My Australian Cattle Dogs have a great sense of humor. They will do anything for a laugh. They are very driven to please their owners and protective of what is "theirs."
Australian Cattle Dogs, like most of the herding breeds, are very intelligent so when I say they are driven to please their owners sometimes they are very creative in their methodology!
The AKC Australian Cattle Dog description is a great place to start to learn more.
4) Does your dog do any other types of training (obedience, agility, search and rescue) or therapy work?
Answer: Mo and I compete in Obedience (2 legs on his CD so far). We also compete in Herding (First leg on his Herding Started A sheep title). We dabble in Agility for grins but have not seriously entered competitions…yet. Mo has completed his Rally Excellent title as well.
This is a truly all around breed. My dogs, including Mo, do numerous public speaking engagements with me which have ranged from being a character in a skit to being a part of a children's message at the Methodist Church where I am a member. They have been a part of speeches on pet care and the veterinary profession as well.
5) Do you incorporate dog show life with veterinary practice in any way?
Answer: Some of my favorite clients have come to me from the dog show world.
Because Mo goes to shows with a handler, we are there all day instead of just being there during our breed and we travel with multiple dogs and dog breeds. As a result, I have an extensive first aid kit that travels with me to all of the shows so I can be ready to help very quickly for the dogs in our care.
As you might expect, I have more requests for help from other people as word gets around that I can help. The great part is I have made some great friends as a result. At home, my dogs come to work with me and are featured in most of the advertising for my clinic so everyone in town knows how they are doing in their show careers. As a result, Mo has an informal fan club in my small town.
Showing dogs has also expanded my areas of expertise as I get asked by my dog show friends/clients about things that the average pet owner may not have a need for, such as reproduction or breed-specific issues.
6) Do you face any special challenges or have any interesting stories as a veterinary professional participating in dog shows?
Answer: I don't think I have any special challenges as a vet in the dog show world.
I do have an interesting story or two. I went to a dog show once where the facility had some resident cattle. I was volunteered to examine one of the steers while I was at the dog show! (Which I happily did as my friends knew I would be.) I have treated sheep at a herding trial as well. It is always an adventure if you go with an open heart and an open mind!
7) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Answer: Mo is also my first registered dog. I never intended to have show dogs. I have had unregistered Cattle Dogs for 20 years before Mo.
In my practice, the local unregistered and untested population of Cattle Dogs was producing one of the genetic blindness problems that occur in several breeds including Cattle Dogs.
When it was time for me to get a new Australian Cattle Dog puppy, I decided I wanted some health guarantees since this syndrome has a genetic test. I researched the top purebred breeders, contacted a nearby breeder that had done all of the genetic testing of the parents and purchased Mo as a pet! His breeder asked if she could show him so his dam (Mom) could earn points toward her ROM (Region of Merit). He did so well as a puppy that he literally won his way out of being neutered!
Thank you, Dr. Dodson, for telling us about the Australian Cattle Dog breed and sharing stories about Mo. Best wishes for this year's show.
Related Information: Wesminster Kennel Club
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