Kelly Diehl and Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Zander, who won Best of Show at the  2019 Plainfield Kennel Club.

            Dogs and humans share a special bond that goes back to antiquity. Handling and showing dogs is a special skill and one young lady of the Upper Perkiomen Valley is excelling in the show ring with her dog.

            Kelly Diehl began showing her Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Zander when she was 11. In May of 2019, she handled Zander to his Championship title. The team continued on to win a Grand Champion title in August of 2019.

            In the dog show world, it is unusual for an owner to exclusively handle a dog to

Kelly and Zander practice a few times every week and she attends a handling  class the week of a show.

a championship. It's a greater accomplishment for a girl now 12 to be competing against adults and handling her own dog.

            The love of dogs runs in the family. Kelly's mom, Kathy has always loved dogs and has a special way of understanding them. This passion led her to open the Dog Daze on Main in Pennsburg. Kathy knew she would eventually show dogs. "The fact that we can be part of that world while watching Kelly shine is the best way to experience it", said Kathy.

            Kelly has loved dogs since she was a child and her mom describes her as a "dog magnet". Dogs have always been part of the family. In 2019, the Diehl family discussed getting a Swissy. Kelly thought about playing travel soccer like her older siblings, but changed her mind when she began learning how to handle dogs.

            "In September 2017, my mom and dad took Zander and me to our first handling class and from then on I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life", explained Kelly.  She shared that her favorite thing about showing is the bond with the dog and the meditation involved with showing. "When you are showing a dog, they have to know they can trust you. Zander and I have formed a very strong bond through showing and I know he trusts me, and I trust him. I

Kelly Diehl began showing her Greater Swiss  Mountain Dog Zander when she was 11-years-old. It is unusual for an owner, especially at her age, to exclusively hande a dog to a championship.

also love when I am in the show ring with Zander I forget about everything else going on in the world. It doesn't matter if we win or lose, I am always happy with Zander" said Kelly.

            Mom Kathy simply loves watching her daughter do what she loves. she said, "To watch Kelly have such poise and composure despite the pressure when going up against professionals at every show is a really neat thing to witness".

            Handling and showing dogs takes a lot of dedication and time. Kelly practices a few times a week and attends a handling class the week of the show. During a handling class, everything is just like in the show ring. The dog's gait, his head position and expression are all critiqued. Kelly explained that there is a lot to think about in a short period of time.

            Showing is not for the faint of heart. There are early mornings and a significant amount of preparation before and during the show. Kelly and her parents clearly love showing dogs and the time they spend together. Zander is always rewarded regardless of the outcome of the show. He always gets his Munchkins from Dunkin' Donuts and a special steak.

            Kelly explained that cultivating a positive relationship with your dog is based on trust, positivity, love and the dog enjoying his work.

            Zander has two older "brothers, Beckham and Jackson. They are Beagle mix rescues and are an intrinsic part of the Diehl family. Kelly remembers bringing Beckham home when she was 8 years old.

            The duo will be competing September 14 through the 20 at the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Specialty Show in Hueston Woods Ohio. Kelly will be showing Zander and a friend's dog.

            Let's wish this special young woman, Zander and her family a lifetime of happiness and success.