Carolina Dog 'Beauty' Takes the National Stage in AKC Rally

Carolina Dogs are a rare breed that originated in the Southeastern United States. They are a feral-based breed, similar to the 'village dog' found in other countries. These dogs are known for their independent and pack-driven nature, making them challenging to train. However, once they form a bond with their owners, they can be loyal and dedicated companions. ## The Journey to the National Stage Courtney Treres, a dog owner and breeder from Holly, MI, has been involved with dogs since her childhood in 4H. However, it wasn't until she met a friend of a friend who had seen Carolina Dogs at an AKC Fast CAT event that she became interested in the breed. Treres eventually met Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, who discovered the breed in the 1970s. She adopted a female Carolina Dog puppy, which she named Beauty, and began training her for dog sports. ## Training and Competition Treres and Beauty started training together for AKC Rally in 2022 and quickly made progress to the national stage at the 2026 AKC Rally National Championships. Beauty, a 5-year-old Carolina Dog, is a member of the AKC Foundation Stock Service and is still working towards full breed recognition. The duo competed in the Championship class, and Beauty was only two points away from her Rally Championship title at the time of the National Championship. ## Building Trust with a Carolina Dog Carolina Dogs are known for their reserved and suspicious nature, which can make them challenging to train. However, with patience and consistency, they can form strong bonds with their owners. Treres notes that building ring confidence is the biggest challenge when working with a Carolina Dog. They need to stay connected with their owners through distractions and challenges. Local AKC clubs often offer AKC Rally classes, which can be a great starting point for building a strong relationship with a Carolina Dog. ## The Future of the Breed Carolina Dogs are not for everyone, and they require a great deal of training and exercise. However, with the right amount of attention and dedication, they can be loyal and dedicated companions. Treres is a Board Member of the Carolina Dog Fanciers of America, the Parent Club of the breed, and is passionate about promoting the breed and its potential in dog sports. She encourages anyone interested in the breed to reach out to the Carolina Dog Club for more information and advice. Carolina Dogs are a unique and fascinating breed that can thrive in dog sports with the right training and attention. With their independent and pack-driven nature, they can be a challenge to work with, but the rewards are well worth it. As Treres and Beauty continue to compete in dog sports, they are helping to showcase the breed's potential and promote its recognition as a full AKC breed.