When Nancy Laser first laid eyes on Breeze, she says she knew she had a winner.
Laser has had her Border Collie partner for the past eight years. Laser, who has trained other dogs before, said she picked Breeze because she showed some real potential in becoming a top-notch competitor.
“Eight years ago I saw the potential right away,” Laser said. “I decided I’m going to train this dog and see exactly what she can do. As she was getting older and older, she became more and more phenomenal. Breeze had such a good work ethic and her drive was so phenomenal. I’ve seen other Border Collies but she was over the top fast.”
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The training paid off and the two participated at the national agility competition held every August. Laser said she was nervous when they first competed and found it overwhelming.
But she had to get her nerves in check because Breeze was relying on her, she said.
Although it may have been a shaky start, the results spoke for themselves as eight-year-old Border Collie breezed through some of her runs and beat some world champion dogs.
Laser said she was floored by how well they did.
“Being in Thunder Bay you are so isolated that you have no idea where your dog is in terms of where the dogs are in Toronto or in B.C.,” she said. “In that group of dogs that were at nationals that Breeze beat, some had won at the world competition or had done well at worlds. So I thought that was my next goal.”
Laser was able to accomplish her goal and won her spot on the Canadian team for the World Agility Organization Championship held in Belgium in May. She said she had to read the email several times before the idea of her being on the team sunk in.
“It was such a huge deal just to make team Canada so I don’t want to put any expectations on myself because it is kind of negative to the dog,” she said. “So I’m going to go and enjoy myself and do the best we can.”
The average lifespan of a Border Collie ranges from 10 to 17 years old. Laser said Breeze was still in her prime and able to beat dogs years younger than her. With proper training and high protein diet, Laser said Breeze could continue to compete for years to come.
Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter @Labine_reporter
