Walter Sommerfelt. |
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What Breed or Breeds do you have, past or present? We have had Vizsla's since 1976. My original breed was Old English, I also bred Pointers for over 25 years and have bred Bearded Collies and Weimaraners in the past, I have also owned an exhibited Papillons, Border Terriers, Dalmatians, Tibetan Terriers, and Best in Show winning American Foxhounds
Are you an Active breeder? Yes
How long have you been active in the sport? Since 1972. I started my judging career in 1985
What is your favorite competition/sport? Conformation
How long have you been a member of the TKVC? 12 years
Do you compete in Owner Handler? No
How did you become interested in our sport? When looking for assistance with grooming of my original Old English Sheepdog I was invited to a "B Match". I had a great time and as they say the rest is history.
Tell us about your most memorable moment in our sport? Judging the Herding Group at the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club, A magical experience and a dream assignment.
What is it that attracted you to the TVKC? After moving to Lenoir City in 2003 I remained active in the Greater Shelby KC in Memphis and I remained as the Chairman of the "St Jude Showcase of Dogs" event in Memphis which I had founded in 1995. We had decided to dissolve the St. Jude event after 2009 and we were open to looking for a local area club. We had visited several clubs and were asked to consider the TVKC and joined in 2008. I was later asked to consider being the club President and have been in that position since 2009.
What do you like most about being a member of TVKC? When we first became members it was mainly a conformation club that also held obedience and agility trials. I believe that since joining we have become a more inclusive club that welcomes people with an interest in all aspects of the sport of pure-bred dogs. Along with creating additional interest areas we have developed monthly educational programs, expanded our social network, created conformation classes, puppy Kindergarten classes. worked with outside groups to offer our members opportunities to learn and train in obedience, agility and other areas. We have worked hard to build a friendly culture to assist our members with mentors on numerous subjects and instill the concept of responsible breeding practices and ownership. We have also become more involved within our community in numerous ways.
Do you think TVKC meets your needs as a member? If not what areas would you like to see improvements in? TVKC on a personal level meets my needs and I think we do a good job of getting our new members involved. I would love to see more of members that are new to the sport take on positions of responsibility and allow us to help them grow through more involvement with the club activities. We have such a great group of diverse backgrounds within our ranks that everyone can learn and grow by working together to make great things happen.
How do your dogs impact your life? The sport of dogs is responsible for so many wonderful things in my life including the introduction to my wife as well as the entire world. The opportunities I have had to meet so many wonderful people, to travel throughout not just the USA but throughout the world to places that as a child I would have never dreamed possible. Dogs are universally "Mans best friend" and everywhere in our wonderful world you will always find a fellow dog lover.
Is there anything that you would like to share? While conformation has been my focus I have also titled dogs in obedience as well as field trials. I have bred and owned a dual champion Vizsla and have been active in numerous clubs since 1972 and have a life in dogs I would not trade for anything.
Are you an Active breeder? Yes
How long have you been active in the sport? Since 1972. I started my judging career in 1985
What is your favorite competition/sport? Conformation
How long have you been a member of the TKVC? 12 years
Do you compete in Owner Handler? No
How did you become interested in our sport? When looking for assistance with grooming of my original Old English Sheepdog I was invited to a "B Match". I had a great time and as they say the rest is history.
Tell us about your most memorable moment in our sport? Judging the Herding Group at the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club, A magical experience and a dream assignment.
What is it that attracted you to the TVKC? After moving to Lenoir City in 2003 I remained active in the Greater Shelby KC in Memphis and I remained as the Chairman of the "St Jude Showcase of Dogs" event in Memphis which I had founded in 1995. We had decided to dissolve the St. Jude event after 2009 and we were open to looking for a local area club. We had visited several clubs and were asked to consider the TVKC and joined in 2008. I was later asked to consider being the club President and have been in that position since 2009.
What do you like most about being a member of TVKC? When we first became members it was mainly a conformation club that also held obedience and agility trials. I believe that since joining we have become a more inclusive club that welcomes people with an interest in all aspects of the sport of pure-bred dogs. Along with creating additional interest areas we have developed monthly educational programs, expanded our social network, created conformation classes, puppy Kindergarten classes. worked with outside groups to offer our members opportunities to learn and train in obedience, agility and other areas. We have worked hard to build a friendly culture to assist our members with mentors on numerous subjects and instill the concept of responsible breeding practices and ownership. We have also become more involved within our community in numerous ways.
Do you think TVKC meets your needs as a member? If not what areas would you like to see improvements in? TVKC on a personal level meets my needs and I think we do a good job of getting our new members involved. I would love to see more of members that are new to the sport take on positions of responsibility and allow us to help them grow through more involvement with the club activities. We have such a great group of diverse backgrounds within our ranks that everyone can learn and grow by working together to make great things happen.
How do your dogs impact your life? The sport of dogs is responsible for so many wonderful things in my life including the introduction to my wife as well as the entire world. The opportunities I have had to meet so many wonderful people, to travel throughout not just the USA but throughout the world to places that as a child I would have never dreamed possible. Dogs are universally "Mans best friend" and everywhere in our wonderful world you will always find a fellow dog lover.
Is there anything that you would like to share? While conformation has been my focus I have also titled dogs in obedience as well as field trials. I have bred and owned a dual champion Vizsla and have been active in numerous clubs since 1972 and have a life in dogs I would not trade for anything.