In a room full of cowboys waiting for media interviews, a dog named Lexi stole the spotlight.
The five-year-old Border Collie, who won the International Stock Dog Championship at Canadian Western Agribition Nov. 20 with handler Norm Sommer, drew smiles and pats on the head as she sniffed out the room.
Sommer of Pleasantdale, Sask., held the coveted Agribition belt buckle he won after Lexi turned in the best time among the top five dogs in the competition’s final run. He said Lexi might get a few treats.
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The competition drew 34 dogs from the three prairie provinces.
Lexi and Sommer qualified first with a two-run time of 3:02, including the fastest time in the first run at 1:35.
In the final, she moved three sheep through the obstacles and into a pen in 2:23.
Sommer said his 200 ewes give Lexi and his nine other dogs lots of practical work.
“The sheep are different at every competition,” he said. “There is lots of training. And you play a key part in it, too.”
Although Sommer usually has two or three dogs competing each year, he brought only Lexi to Agribition.
He and other dogs have made the final several times, but he has never won the title.
Barry Breemersch and Jack of Deloraine, Man., turned in a run of 2:24 for second spot, followed by Campbell Forsyth and Meg of Eriksdale, Man., at 2:25.
