Roxy's big day (14 photos)

Roxy is a 9-month old soft-coated Wheaton Terrier and her people are very proud of their canine companion.

"Originally, when we got her, we weren't going to show her," said Sharon Carter-Hreljac, one of Roxy's people.

But Carter-Hreljac's love of the breed and experience with show dogs led her to the show circuit with Roxy when her mother (Proprietor of Waggish Kennel and breeder of soft-coated Wheaton Terriers) told Carter-Hreljac she would be retiring from breeding the dogs.

SooToday.com found them all this past weekend at Sault Ste. Marie Kennel Club's  annual spring dog show at the Sault Ste. Marie Curling Club on Anita Boulevard.

The show was actually six shows, offering competing dogs six opportunities to earn points.

The confirmation, obedience and rally obedience competitions were held morning and afternoon Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Roxy's home kennel is the Waggish came from the Waggish Kennel in Sault Ste. Marie and went to live in Sudbury with her breeder's daughter and family.

That's where Roxy flew through her obedience and handling classes.

She started the 8-week obedience training class at the tender young age of 11 weeks.

By 6 months of age she had also finished the handling class.

Carter-Hreljac said that training was vital, not only to prepare Roxy for the show ring, but to prepare her to be part of the family.

She has so much faith in the training that she even left Roxy's handling for the show this past weekend in the capable hands of her trainer, Noreen Lorenz.

"You have to remember the differences between humans and dogs," said Carter-Hreljac. "You have to be firm with them and keep them busy. A dog can't rule your house."