Bio: Erin Schaefer is a top International and National competitor. Beginning 2001,Shetland Sheepdog Jag and Erin represented the United States in International competition for 5 consecutive years. Read More
She and Jag were the first American team to win an Individual Gold medal at the World Championships in Dortmund Germany, 2002. At the 2001 World Championships in Porto Portugal, they finished sixth Individually. They were also members of both Silver medal-winning mini Teams in Dortmund and in Porto. Jag also won individual rounds in the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 World Championships. Erin was also a member of the US Agility team at the European Open with Jag and Shadow, owned by Sharon Fortune. They competed in Italy and Germany in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Nationally, Jag was the 1999 USDAA Steeplechase Champion, and has won numerous Steeplechase qualifiers, as well as Grand Prix qualifiers. Since 1999, Jag has been rated in USDAA Top Ten in all categories, and is on the USDAA Lifetime Achievement list as a Top Dog. Erin and Jag have been finalists in USDAA, NADAC and AKC Championships. Jag was rated the top Shetland sheepdog in AKC agility in 2000, and was the 2000 AKC 16” National Champion. The pair won double gold at the 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games in Lake Placid New York. In 2005, they won the Eastern Regional of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge and were the NADAC 12” Weavers Champions. They have also won multiple AKC/Iams International classes held throughout the US. They also won their spot on the 2002 and 2005 World Team by winning the Word Team Invitational tryouts. Jag has a USDAA championship title (ADCH), five AKC Championship titles (MACH5), and most recently completed his Outstanding NADAC Versatility Championship title (O- VersNATCH). Not to be forgotten, Erin began her agility career with her American Eskimo, Stasch. A rescue with many behavioral problems, the two of them went on to become finalists in USDAA, NADAC and AKC National Championships. Additionally, Stasch was listed in USDAA Top Ten in all categories up until his retirement in 1999. Stasch has a USDAA Championship title (ADCH), and a NADAC Championship title (NATCH). He was the first American Eskimo to earn such distinctions. Erin and Jag have appeared on many television shows, including, The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, David Letterman, and most recently The Caroline Rhea Show. Erin and her dogs have also been featured in numerous publications, including Clean Run Magazine, Dog and Handler, The USDAA Bullletin, the Sheltie Pacesetter as well as several newspaper articles. In 2008 Erin decided to become an AKC agility judge and later a UKI judge in order to round out her knowledge in the sport of agility and to give back to the sport as well. Erin’s current Sheltie Kitt moved up to Excellent level competition at the age of 17 months. Her other Sheltie Boom moved up to Excellent level competition at the age of 16 months. Both have already qualified for national events. Erin has conducted seminars all over Canada and the United States. Many of her students have gone on to National and International competition and have made it to many finals and invitationals over the years. She is very proud of all her students and their accomplishments
