×

Hard work paying off for Sarah Fox, Bandit

TAKES FIRST — Sarah Fox and her 4-year-old smooth collie Bandit competed in the American Kennel Club National Championship Dec. 16 in Orlando, Fla. Bandit beat out 21 contenders to take first in his breed at the competition. -- Contributed

RAYLAND — Sarah Fox was only 8 years old the first time she showed a dog at the Jefferson County 4-H.

That moment was enough to get her hooked and start her on a journey that has led her all over the country, won her numerous awards and marked her appearance on television channels such as Animal Planet — but she is not doing it alone.

Fox, a junior at Buckeye Local High School and the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, is the co-owner of 4-year-old smooth collie Bandit, and the two have become a force to be reckoned with in the AKC world.

The pair, who have been traveling to competitions every weekend for the past two years, recently competed the AKC National Championship Dec. 16 in Orlando, Fla., where Bandit beat out 21 contenders to take first in his breed at the competition.

Fox said that part of her philosophy with showing dogs is to make sure you have a real connection with the animal who is both a pet and a partner.

“I am a big person on having a connection with them,” she said. “We play and cuddle.”

Fox said that Bandit was the first dog she showed at an AKC event and he is the most serious of her dogs.

“He has his moments,” she said. “He plays around but he gets serious in the ring. He shows himself like there is no tomorrow.”

All their hard work is really paying off, in addition to their recent honors in Orlando, the pair have taken home prizes including No. 1 Junior Collie handler, No. 1 all breed smooth collie, No. 4 breed smooth collie, No. 1 handler breed in the country, Best of Breed at Westminster in 2018 and Best of Breed at Purina Nationals 2017.

Fox said both she and her parents, Jim and Neva Fox are excited about their successes.

“They think it’s pretty amazing,” she said. “We could never have imagined how far we have gone in such a short period of time.”

Bandit is co-owned by Robin Reed, Virginia Reed Mehr and Joann Thomas, but lives with Fox when he is not competing.

“It’s not unusual to co-own a dog at this level,” she said.

Fox said that she hopes to turn her love of dogs and competing into a full-time career.

“I would like to make this my life,” she said. “Once I stop being a junior handler, I can start getting paid to show dogs for other people.”

In addition to Bandit, Fox is the owner of rough collies Dixie and Song.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today