Starrla Armwood shares her Westminster journey, from discovering the sport to competing with her first show dog and champion, Slider.
Starrla Armwood (Provided by Margaret Foxmoore, Dogs Outside the Ring.)
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If I’m being honest, I never knew this dog show world existed.
I’ve always loved animals and watched Animal Planet and National Geographic nonstop as a kid. All things that piqued my interest had animals (books, movies, you name it). I got my first dog (a Chinese Shar-Pei) at the age of four. That only heightened my love for animals and inspired my love for the breed. I owe it all to my parents for starting me in “Pei.”
After my first Shar-Pei passed, we went looking to add another Pei to the pack. Through this search, we discovered the dog show world and purebred/well-bred dogs. We’ve been hooked ever since.
This year, I returned to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for the fourth year with my very first show dog, “Slider.” He has made me the handler that I am, inspiring growth and ambition to be better, and he has become well-accomplished, earning his American, Canadian, United, and International Championships.
Slider has also sparked my love for dog sports like Fast CAT, Barn Hunt, Lure Coursing, and more. I’m excited to look back at the footage of the last couple of years to see how our bond has grown along with our skill.
Westminster is, and will always be, a special show. This was my fourth year in attendance and possibly the most special. I had my entire family present, and most of my dog show family.
The competition was especially thick in the Shar-Pei ring, which was exciting and scary at the same time. Everyone, dogs and people alike, were on top of their game. Slider and I had a great time competing among the best. We came and we conquered!
Slider loved getting to be an ambassador for the breed, pre-show and post-show. He knew the ropes, as did I.
I was always told, there’s something about your first show dog that will always hold a spot in your heart. That is 100 percent correct. Slider, my first show dog and champion, will always be special—but not for those reasons. His personality, and his love and devotion to me, makes everything so special. I couldn’t have asked any more of my best friend. He will always be my favorite dance partner, especially at the biggest dog show of the year.
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