PHOENIX — For an accomplished Grand Champion like Merlin, it must have been a humbling experience.
The Portuguese Water Dog, accustomed to wowing judges in the show ring, struggled to stay on task. This was a fetch competition, Merlin’s first. At one point, Merlin’s handler had to walk 15 yards across the lush turf and retrieve a buoy herself.
“He’s still learning to fetch,” said Sherri Horstman. “And doing this away from the backyard where there are these distractions is something else.”
For the first time in its 140-year history, the American Kennel Club is offering certification for dogs in the “fetch” category, providing dog show enthusiasts like Sherri the opportunity for a new challenge. It’s also introducing outsiders to the world of AKC.
Another dog at the event retrieved a buoy with ease, serving it back into his handler’s hands every time.
“He’s a mutt so he can’t perform in the dog shows or anything like that but he loves fetching balls,” said Jaylee Crum, owner of a Pointer mix named Stitch.
About two dozen dogs took their turns in fetch tests on Sunday in north Phoenix. Most of them earned a “novice” title and a ribbon.
Since the AKC’s announcement late last year, affiliate clubs around the country have been hosting inaugural fetch testing events.
“At the more advanced levels, the rules will get a little tighter and the skills will get a little tougher,” said Kathy McDermott, president of a local Portuguese Water Dog club that hosted the fetch event.
For many dog lovers, the event is long overdue. A time-honored ritual between man and dog is finally being recognized. Colleen Willhite brought her mix-breed dog Charlie, a retired bomb-sniffing dog.
“This is going to be his retirement hobby,” Willhite said. “Wow, who would have thought? Fetch? It’s about time.”
The fetch program is a pass-fail, non-competitive test with four levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Retriever. In the Advanced and Retriever tests, the dog must respond correctly to signals and there is a memory component.
McDermott said the program represents an evolution in AKC events. Over time the AKC has added more “companion events” to traditional work events.
The fetch program will also likely introduce newcomers to the world of obedience and agility events.
“This is about play and having a well-behaved dog in public,” McDermott said.
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