Janet Kelly

Janet started in competitive obedience classes in 1989 in Texas with Jack Russell Terriers. This was before they were AKC registered, & one of the only place she could show them was at the ASCA (Australian Club of America) obedience trials (as they accepted all dog registries).  Janet showed her JRTs at the ASCA shows, but quickly decided that if she wanted to pursue competitive dog sports, the JRT was not for her! In 1996, Janet purchased the BEST Australian Shepherd in the world (Spice) & started in Novice A obedience. Janet & Spice went all the way to an ASCA OTCh (Obedience Trial Champion) & an AKC UD, plus multiple other titles in herding, rally, agility, & conformation. Spice ended up with 42 titles to her name.

In May of 2001, Janet became an ASCA obedience judge; in 2004, she became an ASCA conformation judge (& achieved the highest level of “senior breeder judge” by 2006); most recently, Janet became an ASCA rally judge. She honestly enjoys judging the performance venues much more than conformation; everybody can win in rally & obedience! Janet gets to travel all over the country & the world to judge dog shows for ASCA; a wonderful perk!

Janet also volunteers for a variety of dog fancy clubs; she joined the Fort Worth Dog Training Club in 1989 where she was introduced to competitive obedience. She remained a member until she moved to South Carolina in 2003. She also served as a Board member for four different ASCA affiliate clubs & the local AKC club; she was the obedience “person” for all five of those clubs. Janet was on the National ASCA Obedience Committee for five years & was the chairperson of that committee for three. In addition, Janet served on the ASCA Conformation Committee & the ASCA Hardship Committee. Being an English teacher, Janet utilized her writing skills to pen the obedience article for The Journal, a bimonthly magazine published by the United States Australian Shepherd Association (the AKC Aussie club).

Janet is currently a member of a few ASCA Affiliate clubs, including the Greater Atlanta Australian Shepherd Club & the Carolina Australian Shepherd Club (you do not have to own Aussies to be a member; let me know if you want more information), & a lifetime member of the Australian Shepherd Club of America.

Janet began teaching English horseback riding lessons when she was ten years old, she was an English teacher for 28 years, & she has taught many rally/conformation/obedience lessons & organized & judged AKC obedience/rally matches.