A 7 1/2-year-old blue merle male Australian Shepherd named “Willie” (OTCH6 Blue Skies At Dejavu UDX4 OM7) is the winner of the 2025 Westminster Masters Obedience Championship Presented by Purina Pro Plan. Willie also won in 2022, making him a two-time winner.
Handled by owner Kathleen Keller, of Flemington, New Jersey, Willie became the 2025 Masters Obedience Champion with a High Combined score of 397.5 points out of 400 possible. In addition, the enthusiastic Aussie won High in Trial with a score of 199 out of 200 possible in the Utility B class.
Describing their performance, Keller, who has competed in the sport for 30 years, said, “From the minute we got there, Willie was really focused. It’s the focus we have for each other that stands out. His overwhelming enthusiasm came through.”
The 10th Annual Westminster Masters Obedience Championship was held Feb. 8 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The championship consists of two rounds – Open B and Utility B. The Masters Obedience Champion is the dog with the highest-combined individual qualifying scores from both rounds, and the highest-scoring team from either round is awarded High in Trial.
Judge Sharon Ann Redmer, of Whitemore Lake, Michigan, said, “The Australian Shepherd was delightful to judge. He was quick on his feet, and his focus on the handler was fabulous. His heeling was wonderful, and he had great attention and energy. His retrieves were crisp and clean and were fast coming and going.”
Willie’s career highlights include placing third among all dogs competing at the AKC National Obedience Championship in 2024.
“Willie is my ‘heart dog,’” said Keller, who began training the Aussie as a pup and started competing in Novice obedience with him at 2 years of age.
The winner of the Open B class with a score of 198.5 points out of 200 possible was “Cookie” (OTCH10 Cookie God Of War UDX10 OGM BN RN), a 5 1/2-year-old female Belgian Malinois. Handled by owner Jennifer Weinik, of Pipersville, Pennsylvania, Cookie has been the No. 1 obedience-ranked Belgian Malinois for the past two years.
Among her big wins, Cookie, the fourth agility dog Weinik has trained over 19 years in the sport, won first place in October 2024 at the AKC Region 1 obedience qualifier for the National Obedience Championship.
Weinik described Cookie as her “once in a lifetime dog.”
“Our work ethic and relationship give us a pretty special bond,” she said. “She digs in deep and puts all her trust in me. Cookie’s great attributes are being loyal, biddable and trusting.”
Congratulations to these 2025 Westminster Masters Obedience Championship winners!
