First AKC Agility Grand Champion:
AGCH MACH4 PACH2 Greer’s Ellie MXB2 MJS2 MXP6 MXPS PADP MJP6 MJPS PJSP PAX2 MFB TQX MFPC TQXP T2B4 T2BP RATS CGC & Carol Greer of Mineral Bluff, GA
Carol had never heard of agility when an obedience instructor suggested that she enroll her mix, Luke, in a beginner agility course. “I quickly became hooked!” she said.
She began competing in the sport in other venues with both Luke and her other mix, Ellie, and they were ready to enter AKC trials when Canine Partners opened.
She remembers her first experience at an AKC event.
“I remember being a little nervous, wondering how other exhibitors would react to having mixed-breeds competing against their purebreds. But, for the most part, people were very welcoming. We were all there just to have some agility fun with our dogs and maybe earn a few titles along the way!”
Luke and Ellie did earn titles, and had much success with multiple championships.
When AKC announced the new Agility Grand Championship (AGCH) program would start in July 2016, Carol thought Ellie was in a good place to strive for it. The title rewards long-term success in the AKC overall program and requires 100 Master Standard, 100 Master Jumpers With Weaves, 75 T2B, 75 Master FAST, 50 Premier Standard and 50 Premier Jumpers legs
“Ellie had already earned her MACH4, T2B4, Master Bronze FAST, and Master Century Agility and JWW titles, and was well on her way to earning her first PACH. And so, the AGCH journey began!”
On Oct. 22, 2017, Ellie, at age 9, finished the AGCH title, becoming the first mixed-breed and the 22nd dog of all breeds to reach the milestone.
“To me, it’s all about having a lifetime of fun with your canine partner and making memories that will live on long after your fur-kid is gone,” Greer said.