Famous Summerland pug heading to ‘Super Bowl’ of dog shows

A pug from Summerland, famous for winning dog shows, is headed to the most prestigious show later this month for the second time.

Jerry was bred and raised by Summerland breeder Carole Walker, and has been winning at dog shows across North America for several years. He has been recognized as the second top bred pug in the United States for two years in a row after winning stated dog shows this year.

“It’s a huge accomplishment to be in the top five in any breed in the U.S. after showing all year, let alone be number two,” Walker said. “And he has been number two for two years in a row. It’s big.”

The top five dogs in each breed are given an invitation to participate in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. It limits the entry to 2,500 dogs, and dogs from various parts of the world attend and vie for the best in show. Jerry didn’t come home with the win last year, but his professional handler Courtney Penner is hoping for ribbon this round.

“You have to be invited and it’s like the Super Bowl of dog shows,” she said.

Penner was born and raised in BC but moved to Georgia a few years ago. She has shown dogs since she was young and became a professional handler before she was 20. Roughly five years ago, Summerland breeder Carole Walker asked Penner to take Jerry to his first dog show on Vancouver Island.

“He was ten months old and was on fire winning all the toy group categories,” Penner said. “I thought he could do a lot of winning so he stayed with me a little longer and went to more dog shows.”

Penner showed the dog at events around Canada. He was the number one pug for breed points at the 2022 Canadian Kennel Club National Championships. The dog continued winning awards at regular shows and was invited to show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The show is the most prestigious in North America. This year is the 150th year its run. To get to the show at Madison Square Gardens is the dream of dreams for a dog breeder owner.

Like all breeds, pugs are judged according to standards that include structure, movement and colouring that make them the ideal representation of their breed.

“Carole breeds very good pugs, she is the master of raising puppies and they’re very happy puppies,” Penner said.

And it turns out Jerry loves the attention he gets at the shows.

“When he’s on stage, he’s a walking ego and thinks he is the greatest guy that ever walked,” Penner said.

“A lot of people say dogs don’t like showing or that they get tired of travelling. Jerry likes it. He sits on the seat beside me everywhere we go, and the second he gets to the dog ring, he puffs up his little chest.”

Penner will also be taking her mom’s Boston terrier, Port, to show at the upcoming New York event. She recently adopted Jerry’s daughter, Fig, who is already following in Jerry’s footsteps by winning at regular shows.