Happy 4th Birthday, Mookie!!

​February 9th marks Mookie’s 4th birthday, and it feels like the perfect moment to look back on what an incredible year he’s had.

​After building a strong  foundation across a variety of sports, Mookie added 38 new titles in 2025, bringing his overall total to 159 titles across numerous sports and venues. Because he has truly excelled in the sniffing sports, we focused heavily there this year — and he accomplished more than I ever thought he would.

In AKC Scent Work, Mookie earned the Master Elite (SWME) title and, having accomplished all of the other elite legs at each level, also earned the unofficial Super Elite designation. He entered six Detective trials and earned five legs. He is currently listed as the #1 Mudi in the country for the second year in a row and is the first Mudi to climb the entire​ AKC scent work ladder.

In UKC, he finished the year with the overall Elite Nosework (EN) title, the Nosework Master Champion (MCH) title, and the Superior Grand Champion (SGC). He also earned his first Precision Coursing Dash (DASH) and Precision Steeplechase (HOP) titles. One of the most fun events for him this year was participating in Shed Hunt, where he earned his Working Shed Dog (WSD) title.

For fun, Mookie earned the FCAT3 title, which was our goal for the year as we aim to complete one Fast CAT title annually. Additionally, his average speed of 27.7 mph earned him #3 Mudi in the country, and he will again receive an invitation to Nationals, as he did last year.

​To top it all off​, Mookie was honored at the 202​5 National Specialty by the Mudi Club of America as the #1 dog in ​AKC Scent Work and the #4 dog in Fast CAT​ in 2024.

Titles and rankings are exciting — but what I’m most proud of is the dog himself. He works hard, recovers fast, thinks deeply, and always comes back ready for more… while still being the same ball-obsessed, tug-loving, opinionated little Mudi at home.

Happy ​Birthday, Mooks 💙

Four years old — and just getting started.

Mookie's favorite person Laura who has always let him sit on her lap!!

Today I took him outside to do a search for odor and then did a search to find shed antlers.  Here is a snippet from those plus a Handler Discrimination search in my house.

And he LOVES the snow!!

More than the snow he loves playing with his friend James!

Mookie unloading laundry from the dryer!!  He is clearly an entrepreneur. 

  

And one of his besties Hermie!!  They have a blast together!