FIRST IN SHOW— Dale Kornreich and Keira romp in the snow at Rocky National Park in Colorado last summer. Kiera, a female Siberian husky, hails from a long line of husky champions. One more win and Kiera will be named a champion in her pedigree. When Dale and Carole Kornreich’s youngest child, Jaclyn, flew the coop in 2007 to attend college, the thought of a house without the constant activity of youngsters filled the Oak Park parents of three with dread.

To stave off the loneliness they believed was inevitable, the Kornreichs picked up a pooch from a breeder soon after dropping off their daughter at Sonoma State University.

The dog, however, wasn’t a typical empty-nester’s replacement child. Kiera, a Siberian husky, was bred from a long line of champions—five generations, in fact. Kiera’s family tree includes two national champions and a Best in Show in her pedigree.

Although the couple said they initially just wanted a companion dog, Dale Kornreich seemed destined to own and train a show dog like Kiera.

His fondness for Siberian huskies began in 1976, when he rescued a neglected dog. Although he and his pet forged a strong bond, he admitted that his first Siberian had some “emotional baggage.”

“(The dog) had been chained up in front of house and didn’t like people,” Kornreich said. “She got over it, but she never really loved a lot of people. This one does,” he said of Kiera.

Four years ago Kornreich attended a dog show and his eyes fell upon what he described as the “most beautiful Siberian huskies I had ever seen.” After getting to know the breeder, Sherri Del Pozo, who was named the Siberian Husky Club of America Breeder of the Year in 2006, he asked her if he could buy a puppy.

“She said ‘maybe,’” according to Kornreich. Breeders of championship canine lines are careful about who they will allow to buy from their litter.

“Reputable breeders want to know who you are and whether you are capable of taking care of a valuable dog,” Kornreich said.

Del Pozo asked Kornreich if he had another dog at home. Yes, a French bulldog/Pekinese mix. A second dog in the home was necessary, he said, because Siberians are pack animals and need company or “they go nuts.”

The couple’s yard had to be fenced properly because Siberians are “escape artists.” And, Kornreich said, he had to commit to an aggressive exercise regimen with the puppy since the breed is known to be extremely energetic.

“If you don’t wear them out, they channel their energy into creative, destructive ways,” he said.

Breeders require control of the genetic line of champions. A litter of five puppies from a pair of show dogs may produce only one or two champion-quality pups. Kiera, born in a litter of three, was the only one who survived, and she fit the bill as a future champion.

Del Pozo agreed to sell the dog to Kornreich, but she demanded he show her or allow her to train and show the dog. Kornreich rose to the challenge.

“Learning how to handle a show dog is not easy,” he said. “TV makes it look smooth and effortless, but it’s really a lot of work. Getting your dog to perform for the judge— to be animated, show character and move correctly—is an art.”

Kornreich learned at his first dog show that Kiera was obese. A healthy adult should weigh 41 pounds and, at just 6 months old, Kiera weighed 46 pounds.

“That’s when I really started walking my dog,” Kornreich said.

Kiera wasn’t the only one to shape up. By walking Kiera six to seven miles a day, nearly every day, Kornreich lost 25 pounds and continues to maintain his high school weight.

“I call it the Kiera diet.”

Kornreich received some dogtraining guidance from Dany Canino, a professional handler and trainer from Simi Valley.

Kiera has competed in many dog shows over the past three years. How dogs move up the ranks to championship status is complicated and depends on many factors, not the least of which are the whims of judges.

Dogs must accumulate 15 points in shows before they become an American Kennel Club champion. Many factors determine how points are gained. Kiera has earned all nine of her “minor” points and three “major” points. Just one more “major” win and she’ll be a champion.

“I look forward to that day,” Kornreich said. “In Southern California very few dog shows have enough Siberians present for a ‘major’ win. When you’re competing against the best of the best, it’s a thrilling honor when you win.”

The goal is for Kiera to rank in the top 25 nationwide and thus be eligible to compete in the Eukanuba National Championships and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Kornreich says he and Kiera have created an “inseparable bond” by training for dog shows.

“Dog shows are fun, exciting, and nerve-racking at the same time,” he said. ”It’s fun to win and a drag to lose, but that’s the reality of dog shows.”