Bracken's Sudden Spring, MAD, EAC, CGC (English Shepherd)

Bracken

Bracken

Photo by Bill Newcomb

Kathy's third English Shepherd is Bracken. She is related to Purdy, but her nature is that of a sweet family companion who feels responsible for keeping the family together.

Bracken is a sensitive dog and although she has had success in Agility she does not yearn for the limelight the way Purdy did. Like many dogs, when Bracken is relaxed she can "run like the wind" and is fabulously agile, but when competing, she finds it difficult not to try to "keep track" of her family outside the ring.

In the Grand Prix in Ventura in 1996, Bracken made the finals, but she got scent of Kathy's daughter Clair while negotiating the weave poles and slowed down considerably. Finally, refocusing on her Agility, she did finish weaving and ended up coming 5th place in the 26" height class of the Grand Prix.

Nowadays, Bracken is a pet first and foremost who dabbles in a little Agility. She is wonderful with children and has all the qualities of a great English Shepherd companion dog.