Rhonda Dillard

Who or what influenced your interest in Dogs and Dog Events

I grew up with dogs, but didn’t discover dog sports until I saw dog agility at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day event back in the 90s. Once Scott and I installed a perimeter fence around our nine acres, we found Foxie, our first Pembroke Welsh Corgi. My dressage instructor, who had a corgi I admired, spotted an ad in the local GreenSheet. We went to see the litter, of which only one remained. The running joke is that I dropped her, so I had to buy her. (She wriggled out of my arms as I was setting her down).

How long have you been participating with your Dogs

I got into dog sports back in 2000, shortly after we bought Foxie.  Started with agility and herding, then got into tracking, obedience and rally in 2006. Added conformation in 2010 when I finally had an intact dog eligible for those classes.

What Breeds have you owned

Pembroke Welsh Corgis, with one half-Pem/half-Rat Terrier “oops”. A couple have come from rescue, and those dogs introduced me to the breeders of the dogs I have now.

What are your Goals

Keep learning. The dogs have so much to teach us. And to be a better communicator to my dogs. Most of our mistakes are due to incorrect, late or unclear cues on my part. And to finally earn a UD leg.

What is your favorite Memory involving a Dog

Competition: I tripped and fell three obstacles from the finish during a run at Corgi Nationals. I was able to direct my dog through the last three obstacles verbally for a Q. And my husband caught it on tape.

Non-competition: When one of my dogs chooses to join me on the bed and snuggle in the small of my back. That sigh on their part as they settle in makes me smile.

What events they’ve attended

Lots of agility (four different organizations), plus many obedience, rally and herding competitions.  Highlights include:

2008, 2010 and 2013 AKC Agility Nationals

2016 AKC Rally Nationals

2005, 2008-2009, 2013-2019 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America Nationals

2019 NADAC Championships – where Luna won Double-Digit Mini division and Rae won the Pre-Elite Mini division

.

Contributions to LSDOC

I have volunteered at the Sanctioned A Match and at the Garage Sale. Now that I have retired, I hope to have more time to volunteer – as well as train my dogs.

Favorite Location where you have shown your Dog

The various Pembroke Corgi Nationals. So much fun to go head-to-head with friends from around the country that you only keep up with online.