This is Pepper, CD, TDI, CGC. We rescued Pepper from the SPCA in 1982. In spite of some early behavioral problems, he became a happy, well-adjusted family pet earning his Companion Dog title and a Canine Good Citizen certification, and becoming a therapy dog as well. But it was thanks to those behavioral problems that we discovered obedience training. Pepper was very good at it, and I decided I wanted to compete. But alas! Mixed-breed dogs could not compete in AKC obedience trials at that time. They've only recently begun to be accepted in trials, so I had to have a pure-bred. We did a lot of research and decided that the Norwegian elkhound was the breed for us, and the rest is history! Pepper passed away at the grand old age of 17. He was our first obedience dog, but he certainly wasn't going to be our last. I love you, Pepper! You paved the way for all that came after!
