(who at that time was 8 years old), told my mom that she would like to show dogs some day. At that time our family was moving from our suburban home in the Twin Cities to our new country home and lifestyle in Wisconsin. Our quest to research and pick the right breed for us to show began.” Their family narrowed their deci- sion for a new breed to three breeds and ultimately decided that the Australian Terrier breed was the best fit for their family and their future desire to show and breed dogs. According to Lydia, it was not an easy task to locate a qual- ity breeder in their area of the Midwest part of the states. Of the two Australian Terrier breeders they contacted, one made it clear she was not interested in placing a show dog with their fam- ily and junior handlers, the other was not the kind of breeder the family was looking for. Eventually they found a breeder out- side of their area and purchased two female Australian Terriers—one for Lyd- ia and one for her sister Ellie to show. They began working with a local trainer and started showing their dogs. Their first Judge was the notable Mr. Peter Green at a show in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Since that first show, Lydia’s han- dling has contributed toward many top awards for their Australian Terri- ers, including: AKC Championships, Grand Championships, Best of Breed at Westminster 2015, Best of Winners at the National Specialty, Multiple Best in Show (NOHS), Reserve Best in Show,
Multiple Group 1s, Award of Excellent at the 2014 World Show in Helsinki, Fin- land and #1 ranked in the US. These are among the top honors. Lydia was home schooled which enabled her to travel with her family across the country to a variety of shows, including a trip to the World Dog Show in 2014 held in Helsinki, Finland. What was it like to show your dog at the World Dog Show? “It was an incredible experi- ence, meeting so many wonderful peo- ple and beautiful dogs from all over the world. The entry for Australian Terriers was over 100 dogs. I was honored that my Australian Terrier Jake, was award- ed ‘Excellent’ and finished in the top 7 Australian Terriers entered. We learned a lot about our breed standard, type and fine tuning our grooming skills. It was a trip and experience I will never forget.” In 2015 BIS/RBIS/BISS/MBIS-NOHS GCH Ch Dunham Lake Unanimous Decision, “Jake,” shown by Lydia was awarded Best of Breed at the West- minster Kennel Club Dog Show, under Judge Dr. Jerry Klein. It was this very show, 8 years prior, that they watched on television, that began the adven- ture for Lydia and her family. “What an honor and thrill to be a part of this exciting event. It was my first time in New York.” I don’t enjoy flying and pre- fer the country life, but this incredible dog show in New York is something I look forward to participating in many more times.” In 2014, Jake made history in the breed as only the 2nd Red Australian
Terrier to ever win a Best in Show, which was awarded by Judge Mrs. Gloria Ger- inger. Also Jake is the only Australian Terrier to win a Best in Show-National Owner Handler, he has received two Best in Show-National Owner Handler Series in 2015. For more information about Lyd- ia and how you can contact her, visit her website at Lead by Lydia at www.leadbylydia.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR As a reliable and professional person who loves animals, Lydia Goiffon has groomed and handled show dogs for a variety of breeds since 2007, most noted for the Australian Ter- rier breed. She is located in Northwestern, Wisconsin. Services include: ring-side pickup, grooming and weekend handling. She will represent your dog in the conformation show ring professionally, with experience and con- fidence, making your dog look their best, and working hard for you whether in the breed ring, group ring or Best in Show ring! Lydia is a member of the Cambridge Minne- sota Kennel Club. Along with her sister and mother, breeds #1 ranked Australian Terri- ers in the US, multiple BIS and multiple BOB Australian Terriers at Westminster under the kennel name Dunham Lake Australian Terriers. They are also very active mentor’s and encourage new people in the breed to participate in not only conformation events, but other AKC performance events as well. Lydia’s other interests include riding and training her horses, working with the elderly as a CNA at a nursing home and finishing her Nursing Degree.
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