Dr. Kelly Kontur is the owner of Summit Animal Hospital and veterinarian for ten years. She also competes with her dog Tuppence nationally. Her office is located at 13 E Aurora Rd, Northfield, OH 44067, office phone number is (330) 468-1216. Check their website for hours of operation https://www.sahnorthfield.com/.
Dr. Kelly Kontur and her AKC Smooth Collie Tuppence compete nationally. Tuppence is one top dog in her division, and her owner always runs barefoot alongside her at agility! Except at Westminster finals, where it was mandated that exhibitors wear shoes, Dr. Kontur is always barefoot at agility competitions.
Dr. Kontur had a run in the 24-inch division and is about halfway through the finals, but it takes a year of qualifying and then two runs in the preliminary rounds at Westminster to make finals. While this was the finals, it takes just an agility championship title to enter Westminster and no other qualifications. Two good preliminary rounds are needed to make the finals. Other than the top three placing dogs, only one dog of each breed is allowed to run in the finals to show the diversity of the sport.
In December 2022 she placed 2nd overall at the National Agility Invitational competition in Orlando, along with Tuppence being awarded the top collie! In the history of AKC Agility no other collie has ever placed higher than her at Invitationals.
Tuppence was the first Smooth Collie to compete in Westminster Agility finals, the 1st Smooth Collie in the Premier Cup, and the 1st Smooth Collie Agility Grand Champion. She made finals at the 2020 Invitational, also in the 2021 Westminster Agility Championship. She also made finals and placed 2nd in the 24 in. class at the 2022 Invitational. Tuppence placed 5th at the 2023 Westminster Agility Championship, and was invited to both the 2021 and the 2023 Premier Cups.
The Premier Cup is an exhibition of dogs who have done well in the major AKC events of the previous year. Only twenty teams are invited from each height division consisting of two preliminary rounds and also a finals round. The Premier cup takes place on July 8th, 2023 at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. It will be televised on AKCTV. Tuppence will be running in the 24-inch class.
Fun facts about Tuppence: she’s eight years old and a Smooth Collie. She was not bred for sports but she has a natural spunk that worked in agility. She also has competed in obedience, herding, and conformation. She loves body slamming Dr. Kontur at the end of a run and has ripped a few of her shirts that way! After a run you can hear her barking in the background because she’s so excited. She’s overcome a few serious injuries in her career and is Dr. Kontur’s first agility dog. She’s a blast to run and she’s very honest and always tries her best. She isn’t rattled by distractions, even at huge events where there are big crowds and cameras everywhere.
Dr. Kontur adds, “Thanks to my fabulous staff, I’m able to travel on the weekends to attend these dog sport events!”
Photo credits- one with Dr. Kontur and Tuppence in purple is by Steve Surfman Photography and the other is by Great Dane Photos.
