Like many parents whose children give them reason to be proud, Jim and Louanne Brooks are beaming. On April 1, 2000, their 6-? year old daughter, Amelia, finished a Championship title on one of their Australian Cattle Dogs at an American Kennel Club show at Sioux City, IA. ?It is unusual for a child her age to compete,? remarks her mother. ?Most children who show dogs begin in earnest when they are 10, and can compete in Junior Showmanship. Very occasionally you will see a younger child compete in the regular show, against adults, but it is rare.?

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	The Brooks, who have raised registered Australian Cattle Dogs for 10 years, compete in conformation and have been training to compete in herding. Amelia began showing 12 month old ?Crystal? (CC?s Crystal Blue Persuasion) in December 1999, at a show at St. Cloud, MN. Now a kindergartener, Amelia has grown up with these dogs (currently the Brooks have 9 dogs and 2 puppies). ?She is a big help with rearing and socializing the young dogs,? says Louanne. ?She has been anxious to enter the show ring for a long time, but only recently developed the skill and concentration required. Every time she competes, she improves. I was apprehensive at first, but she shattered any doubts I might have had about her ability to handle the situation.?
	?She has done an outstanding job,? reflects her father. ?I don?t know if she understands the magnitude of her accomplishment, but I know she will appreciate it as she grows older. Not only did she have to compete against experienced adults and professional handlers, but she did it in less than 4 months.? Many dogs compete for two or more years before earning enough points to receive a Championship title. Amelia put three 5 point majors on Crystal, and recently, as a Special in Best of Breed Competition, the duo beat the #1 dog in Canada and the #3 dog in the US for Best of Breed. Brooks give credit to Crystal?s breeders and co-owners, Doug and Tracy Carlton, for a share of the success. ?Early on, Tracy saw the potential in this lovely, sweet-tempered bitch, and felt she would compliment our lines. Crystal is true and sound, and floats as she moves. It is simply beautiful to watch,? Louanne comments. Crystal is out of 10 times BIS, BISS CH. Imbach?s Blue Rebel X CH. CC?s Baby Needs New Shoes.
	The weekend Amelia was scheduled to go to Sioux City, she received an invitation to a birthday party. At first she thought she?d stay home with Dad and a new litter of puppies so she could go to the party, rather than go to the show with her mother. ?I told her it was her choice, and reminded her there was a major at Sioux City, which was all she lacked to finish (her dog?s Championship),? her mom muses. After a while Amelia said, ?Mom, I?m going to Sioux City this weekend and finish my dog.? And that is exactly what she did!

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