Events

The LCNW just hosted our 9th annual LCA Draft Test. Our awesome, informative, and welcoming judges were Ruth Nielsen and Jennifer Brightbill, both of whom are approved through the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America.

An activity such as this could never happen without numerous and wonderful volunteers. Thank you to Margaret Au: test secretary; Barbara Powell: lead steward; Mark Nelson, Rajesh Natarajan, Jessica Hayes, Junko Ferguson, Lori Taft, and Karin McLarty: our talented stewards, set-up crew, hospitality hosts, and clean-up crew; and Lise Brandhagen: photos and clean up. A huge thank you to all of the above as well as to all of the exhibitors and dogs that came to play.

Our day began bright and early under a light rain which continued on and off all day but periods of clearing were long enough to dry out in between the showers. We were thankful for a large, covered picnic area and plenty of hot coffee. Needless to say the dogs did not mind the rain at all.

Eight teams completed the test. For the first time, the LCNW offered the brand new LCA Draft Dog Excellent class. One Excellent level team, a Leonberger, was the only passing score of the day.  There were two Open teams: a Leonberger and a Swiss Mountain Dog. The Novice Brace team consisted of two Leonbergers. Our two Novice Veteran teams, a Leonberger and a Rottweiler, were followed by two Novice teams, a Mastiff and a Bernese Mountain Dog. It probably goes without saying that all of the above dogs were accompanied by a human handler to make them a “team.”

I would like to give a great big shout out to the veterans, just LOVE to see the older dogs, happy, healthy and playing with their people.

Everyone had a good time, learned some new skills, learned which skills need more work, and most of all the humans and their dogs had fun playing and working together. A hearty, warming lunch was served and eaten, the awards were brief, and the judges were presented with some gifts of thanks. When the event concluded, we proceeded with a match/clinic hosted by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Greater Seattle. It was a great partnership that was well attended.

Qualifying is a bonus, the real prize is spending the day with your dog, doing something fun.

Congratulations to the qualifiers!