Lake Tapps Resident to Compete in AKC Rally® Competition

Sit. Down. Stay. Good dog! This March 15, Tulsa, Oklahoma will be filled with some of the most well behaved dogs in the nation, all aiming for the top spot at the first ever AKC Rally® National Competition. Local resident, Jim Franklin and his Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Sierra, will be among the contenders. In addition to being a well behaved dog, Sierra is a huge Seattle Seahawks fan, she can high five, and play dead.

Jim and Sierra qualified to compete against some of the best AKC Rally® dogs in the Advanced Excellent class. Rally Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Advanced Excellent classes are offered at this national competition.

AKC Rally® combines elements of Obedience and Agility. The dog and handler move through a course of numbered exercises, all while the handler is communicating with and praising the dog. Rally demonstrates a sense of teamwork and provides an excellent introduction to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers and can provide a challenging opportunity for competitors in other events to strengthen their skills. AKC Rally® promotes a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for dogs at all levels of competition.

This year, the AKC Rally® National Competition is part of the new Companion Events Extravaganza, which celebrates the top dogs in AKC Companion Events. This multi-day event in Tulsa features Championship events for Agility and Obedience in addition to this new national competition for AKC Rally®.

This year marks the nineteenth National Obedience Championship as well as the seventeenth National Agility Championship and fourth Preferred National Agility Championship and the inaugural AKC Rally® National Competition. Visit http://www.akc.org for more information.

The AKC Rally® National Competition is sponsored by J & J Dog Supplies.