Connor came into my life when I was looking for alternative methods to training than what was on offer.  I decided that I would only ever direct or re-direct anything that I didn't want to happen to something that I did.  So Connor and I learned lots together which is perhaps why he achieved so much in his lifetime.  We were also assisted by opportunities that came along and which we took.  Connor was named after a favourite movie character who was immortal and he became that in both Gordon Setter history and New Zealand dog history.

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He achieved the following:

• A New Zealand Show Champion

• Gained his CDX  or Companion Dog Excellence which is an obedience qualification

• Gained his ADX or Agility Dog Excellence which is an agility qualification

• Gained a CGC Gold which stands for Canine Good Citizen Gold - a community qualification

• Successfully completed the Clean Run 60 weave challenge

• Competed to obedience Test A level at Championships and Test B level at Ribbon Trials but could complete Test C tasks.

• Competed to agility Novice level at Championships and Intermediate level at Ribbon Trials.

• Connor was the first dog ever to receive a Canine Good Citizen qualification in New Zealand; although tested beforehand this was showcased in the main arena at the NZ National Dog Show when the Kennel Club launched the qualification.

• Connor was the first dog to perform a Heelwork To Music/Freestyle routine in front of a crowd at the NZ National Dog Show when the sport was being introduced

• Connor represented New Zealand at Crufts in the UK in the International Invitational Agility & International  Invitational Freestyle sports in both 2007 & 2008.  (In the first agility round he came 8th out of 19 countries.)  This came about through relocating to the UK from NZ.

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​What he achieved shows that Gordon Setters can be successful on many levels in many sports; the fun I had with him was immeasurable and the training was just a part of our partnership.  One of the highlights (of sorts) was that through the positive training that I did with him, he was able to be x-rayed and scanned without anesthetic - he was very chilled and I had his complete trust.

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