Emma Gheseger's year is going to the dogs already — but in a good way.
The 17-year-old Port Moody resident is heading to Crufts in Birmingham England in March, the world's largest dog show, where she will show two dogs in the best in breed competition for their owners.
She's a rare breed in the Tri-Cities, not only does she own a champion Newfoundland dog called Vedder but she has been training in dog show handling and obedience since she was 12.
"I fell in love with it; you learn about other breeds, I get opportunities to handle other dogs and it brings opportunities. Now I'm going to England and I'd never thought I'd get that far," Gheseger says.
The opportunity to show two dogs at Crufts follows her success in 2015. In November, Gheseger came fourth in Canada in National junior handling finals in Toronto, after a first place finish as best overall junior handler in B.C. (Zone 12) competition in Osoyoos in September.
Her talent was clearly evident to the English dog owners who snapped her up to show an Otterhound and a Newfoundland dog.
"It's a really amazing experience to have. There are so many handlers that haven't gone there and it's one of the biggest dog shows in the world."
Normally, Gheseger shows her own dog Vedder, but when she competes outside of the province she "borrows" a dog, and in the case of the national finals, she used a Bernese Mountain dog named Romeo.
Clearly, her comfort with dogs led the English owners to inquire about her availability for Crufts, which the Coquitlam Inquiry Hub student will visit a few days before spring break officially starts in March.
Gheseger admits that dog shows can be full of drama, and there are some characters like those portrayed in the comedy "Best in Show." But for her showing off her dog Vedder is a treat and she enjoys the social aspect of the events.
"It takes up most of my time," said Gheseger of her training and competition schedule. For her graduation project this year, Gheseger plans to study chiropractics for dogs with a specialist she's been job shadowing, and will go on to further her education at SFU, and study Equine and K9 Chiropractics at Parker University in Texas.
Her dog Vedder is also a champ with many credits to his name, including Ultimate Newf title, an award the large furry breed can get if they win several championships including: Canadian Championship, Companion Dog, Draft Dog, Water Rescue Dog, and Canine Good Neighbour.
Gheseger is the first junior handler to achieve this with their dog and she says she's come a long way since first becoming interested in the breed when she was younger. At the time her mom, who is also a dog trainer, was working with Newfoundland dogs and Gheseger said she was impressed by the breed's gentleness, work ethic and rescue ability.
She also has cats, a rescue dog and rides horses but showing dogs is her passion.
"I think it's addicting, the more you do it's — its' very addicting…if you do win it's so exciting."
