Page 30 - Online Spring 2022 Newsletter

Do YOU know what the Keeshond

‘Versatility Awards’ are?

By Lisa McCorrie

“What on earth are they?” I muttered, dog or scent
as I scanned through the Keeshond mesmerises
Club website. I was considering him.)
whether I should join the Keeshond But more,
Club. We were never going to be able he’s such a
to show, nor to breed - which people
appeared to be what most of the pleaser
website was about - so I was and so it
wondering what, if anything, we could was most natural for him
participate in, contribute to or benefit to become first a Therapy Dog. And
from, if I joined as a member. it was just plain sensible to put him
through his Good Citizen’s Dog
Having been newly “owned by a
Keeshond” (I love that phrase), I was Scheme awards. So we briefly
besotted from the get go. I felt succumbed to a local dog club where
privileged to be partnered with this Brody achieved his Bronze, Silver and
beautiful animal. I was both proud Gold awards in 3 consecutive weeks!
of my most glorious of dogs and Shame there’s no Guinness Book of
everyone’s adoration of him, and Records for this as I’m told this may
touched that he could reach so many be the 1st time these 3 awards have
hearts, and make so many people ever been achieved so quickly.
not just smile, but grin or gasp, Despite this progress and the range
in reciprocation to this “Smiling of home tricks I’d taught him (and
Dutchman”. that make me giggle - like his dead
fly impersonation, kicking the football
After our first
few months, and playing “Peek-a-Boo”) I realised
as much as that I needed to look for other
we loved activities to let Brody shine. I really
informal enjoyed the accomplishment of
training training him myself, so didn’t want
together dog classes to take over my role
Brody was unnecessarily. I didn’t want to be too
evidently absorbed or competitive. Brody
ahead of me. needed more – but what?
Almost The break came that spring. I ran
everything I Airbnb in my home and living in
taught him Birmingham, I had my usual annual
anew he astounded me by delivering houseful of wonderfully behaved
on first attempt or within minutes. doggy guests for Crufts (along with
It’s like he understood English! (Don’t their owners). That year a new lady
get me wrong, he’s as self-willed booked with her two delightful
and as deaf as can be when another Shelties. She was part of the Sheltie
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