At the GDCA National Specialty in Topeka, KS in October, 2006 Keeper went third place in the big 12 to 15 month class of the Futurity! He was just 13 months old.
The Futurity is a special part of the National specialty - as the name implies, for Futurity classes the dogs must first be nominated (entered) before they are even born. A second nomination/entry fee is paid before they are 3 months old, and a final fee paid shortly before the National. A breeder or owner can cancel a dog's nomination for Futurity by simply not paying any one of the nomination fees, if the dog doesn't turn out as well as hoped. But the first fee must be paid before the litter is born, which means the breeder really believes the litter will be an excellent one.
Keeper was handled at the National for his owner Karen by our dear friend Chantel Johnson, and she did a wonderful job!