Here’s a little bit about Bravo Samoyeds …

 After owning, training and showing several breeds since 1966, I acquired my first Samoyed from Katie Carter.  I had worked for her at her commercial boarding kennel in Denver, Colorado, right after graduating from high school.  She had several Samoyeds, one in particular that I really loved.  CH. Elmfield’s Valadamir.  This dog was a member of her sled team and a competitive weight-puller.   Training this dog for Novice Obedience was when I learned that to teach obedience to the Samoyed, one has to make the dog believe that he thought of it!

 This lead to my purchasing Elmfield’s Applause from Katie in 1985.  “Bravo” came to live with us when he was about nine weeks old.  I worked a graveyard shift as a radio technician and was able to take Bravo with me to work.  We were constant buddies for years.  He was a great dog to have around for our young daughter and her friends.

 I used Bravo as my demonstration dog at the obedience classes I was training for Bakersfield Obedience Training Club each Saturday for three years.  He was not only a good sport; he was also a real clown.

 Bravo’s Breed Ring appearances were initiated by a good friend and accomplished Junior Handler, Jennifer Robert.  I had never handled a dog in conformation and was glad for Jennifer’s enthusiasm.  She taught me many things about the breed ring procedures.  Over time, Bravo began to accumulate points.  Occasionally, I would be unable to attend a show or I would get frustrated with the politics and I’d hire Tony Chavez to exhibit Bravo for me.  That was a wonderful part of Bravo’s show career.  I think everyone should watch their own dog be shown at least once.

 When Bravo was 3½ years old, he completed his AKC Championship on October 30, 1988, and his Mexican Championship in March 1991 at the age of 6 years.  The same weekend he completed his Mexican Championship, I showed him in the two obedience trials offered and he earned two of the three required scores for his Mexican CD.  The trip into Mexico was a little unnerving, we never returned to get the third and final score.

 I didn’t show Bravo in Obedience until he was about 18 months old, when he achieved his Companion Dog (CD) title in three consecutive trials.  He completed is CD at the Samoyed Club of America National Specialty in 1986 at San Jose, California.  He won the Novice B Class with a 196.5 under Judge Al Lee.  After about a year of training for the Open Class, I began exhibiting him in July, 1988.  He finished is CDX in September, 1988, at the SCA National Specialty with a score of 197.5, under Judge Jake Jahelka!  This earned him First Place in the Open A Class, the Highest Scoring Dog in Trial Award, and the Highest Scoring Dog Completing A Degree Award.   Every dog has its “day in the sun,” well, that was one of our “days.”  We went on to train for a couple of years for the Utility Class.  This was a barrel of fun and Bravo never let me forget it!   He finished his Utility Dog Degree on October of 1994, placing First in the Utility A Class, over 12 other dogs, none were Samoyeds.  Many good friends were ringside to cheer us on that wondrous day!   

 In January 1997, just for fun, I entered Bravo in the Veteran Obedience Class as the Samoyed Club of Los Angeles Specialty Obedience Trial.  Under Judge Maurice Ferguson (who had awarded Bravo his first qualifying score in Novice years ago) Bravo was very happy to be in the ring again, showing like a youngster, won the class with a 196½!  He still had “it.”

 Shortly, after that trip, Bravo became ill and died on March 30, 1997.  Except for the last month of his life, he was full of mischief and character, always looking to please and entertain.   He was not only a great dog but a best friend….his legacy lives on in his kids…