Amber

This year's AKC/Eukanuba National Championships are scheduled for Dec. 17-18 in Orlando, Fla., and Alaska once again will be well represented at the prestigious conformation, obedience and agility competitions.

I've asked Alaskans heading for the championships to fill out a questionnaire telling us about themselves and their dogs, and we'll be featuring the responders leading up to the show.

Our next featured entrant is going to be busy. She's showing three dogs in breed and her own in junior handling. Meet Emmylea Herring (Emmy) and and Amber :)

Dog's Registered Name: Boreal's Adventurous Journey CD, RN, FDCH, NAJ, NJC, NAC, WV-N, S-TN-N

Call name: Amber

Breed: Shetland Sheepdog

Dog's Age: 8

Hometown: Anchorage

Handler/owner: Emmylea Herring (other owners are Debi and Elissa Hill)

Event(s) you'll be competing in at the AKC/Eukanuba Nationals: Junior Showmanship and 3 Best of Breeds with a Papillion, Pug, and Bouvier.

How long have you been showing/competing with dogs? Only 4 years, I started out with Amber in juniors, and evolved into an all-breed handler.

Always same breed? No, I have handled a variety of breeds including; Bouvier des Flandres, Pugs, Papillions, Shelties, American Cocker Spaniels, a Golden Retriever, an Afghan Hound and a GSD.

Top finishes/titles/honors: At my first show I won Best Junior in Specialty Show with Amber. Since then I've taken several more Best Juniors at Specialty Shows and All-Breed Shows. I've handled various dogs to multiple Group placements including two Group 1's with GCH CH Quiches Intrepid Captain Sully, "Sully" the Bouvier I handle. Sully is now the number 8 Bouvier in the country, and the number 1 Herding Dog in Alaska. I handled a gorgeous American Cocker Spaniel named "William" (CAN CH Leolynne's Without Limits) this summer to a Best in Show at the YKC Shows in Whitehorse.

Best features/attributes: Amber is a highly motivated dog that will do anything for me as long as it involves cookies. She's a fun dog to show, and I'm looking forward to traveling to Eukanuba with her.

First time to Eukanuba Nationals? Yes

Goals for the show? To have fun and meet new people.

Anything else people should know about you and your dog? Amber and I also compete in Dog Agility and Flyball.

Sully