Trainer showcases Hudson’s top dog around the country

by Michele Collins

Hudson has a history of producing incredible human athletes, but here’s a tail-wagging fact: There is also a canine agility champion living in the clocktower shadow.

Resident Dr. Kelly Kontur, a veterinarian and owner of Summit Animal Hospital in Northfield, is the proud pet parent and trainer of Tuppence, a Smooth Collie who has won and placed in numerous dog agility competitions. She has even sprinted, sprung and spun on televised competitions on Fox and ESPN, always with Kontur running barefoot alongside her.

“Tuppence just loves to compete,” said Kontur. “When we get to a competition, she is so excited barking and wagging her tail. She can’t wait to do the jumps.”

The vet admits she never thought she’d be driving around the county for dog shows, but “kind of got sucked in.” The duo started agility training in 2017. In these competitions, dogs of all breeds and mixes work with their handlers to navigate obstacle courses as quickly and accurately as possible.

Tuppence is especially adept at the high bar jumps and quick-turn areas of the competitions, according to Kontur. She has earned 10 Master Agility championship titles. The 9-year-old collie is also an Agility Grand Champion.

Most recently, Tuppence made the agility finals for the 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in May. She also earned a spot in the finals in 2021 and finished fifth place in the 24-inch jump-height category at Westminster in 2023.

In addition, the Hudson hound was a finalist in the 2020 American Kennel Club Invitational and the 2023 AKC Premier Cup and brought home second place in the 24-inch division from the 2022 AKC Invitational.

But in 2017, Tuppence was far from a champion.

“When she started, she wasn’t very good. She knocked off the bars and was kind of slow,” said Kontur.

Two years of instruction and practice, however, improved Tuppence’s jumps, turns and times. Suddenly, she was gaining attention as one of the dogs to beat.

This December, Tuppence will compete in her last highest-level competition at the AKC Agility Invitational at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Now that she’s 9, she moves down in jump height level from 24 inch to 20 inch.

Those interested in seeing Tuppence contend for another top-dog title can watch the Dec. 14-15 competition on a free livestream at akc.tv.  ∞

Photo: Dr. Kelly Kontur guides Tuppence through a jump during a recent agility competition. Photo submitted.