What makes an athletic dog? Let this miniature schnauzer from Roanoke show you

Kermit is a little dog, but alongside his owner he’s not afraid to take on the world.

Which he did recently — and successfully — when he and his owner, Stacy Bols of Roanoke, competed in the World Agility Open in the Netherlands. The event featured dogs from 35 nations and Kermit, a miniature schnauzer, was among the best performers.

Kermit was one of only four dogs selected to compete for Team USA. He was subsequently the only dog from the U.S. in his height to make the biathlon agility finals, which, much like gymnastics for humans, features a jumping round and an agility round.

Bols has been competing with Kermit, who is 8, for seven years. They have participated in many national and international events with great success, including reaching a dozen finals.

Bols is a dog agility trainer. She teaches classes and travels the U.S. to teach seminars and conducts online classes with students all over the world.

But nothing beats traveling with her best friend and companion, Kermit, she said.

“It is the best feeling to get to travel and compete at the highest level and meet people from all over the world who love the sport of agility,” she said.

Stacy directs Kermit from a distance, using her body and verbal cues. She consistently gets the small but mighty powerhouse pup to perform with the best of all breeds.

“One does not automatically think of miniature schnauzers when thinking about standout breeds in the sport of agility, but these days it is team of Stacy and Kermit who show the USA and the world what these bearded dogs can do in the ring,” said longtime friend and fellow competitor Sue Allen of Tampa, Florida. “There is no more fun than following this superstar team.”

Overall, Bols and her animals have been competing in dog sports for a couple decades. Kermit is her fourth agility dog.

Getting started in dog sports

Bols is following in the footsteps of her mother.

“I got into the sport because my mom was training her dog in the sport and it sounded like a great thing to do with my dog,” she said. “My mom has also competed with her Aussie, miniature schnauzer and Staffordshire bull terrier.”

Bols said that while she grew up with dogs as pets, she did not find out about the wide world of dog sports until after college. And though it’s not anything from which she is getting rich, it is something she loves dearly.

Usually, the prizes from competitions include big rosette ribbons, gift certificates and/or dog food (remember who is the star), and sometimes even prize money.

This year she and Kermit also traveled to Canada to compete in their national event making the finals there as well. They reached the finals and won the Flat Out Dog Challenge (an agility training organization).

Travels for dog competitions

Bols and Kermit were also part of a team that was supposed to compete in Europe in 2020, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestically, they traveled from California to Florida to Pennsylvania and states in between for competitions.

And those travels have generated lots of memories and stories. One in particular was when she and Kermit won the 2022 American Kennel Club Agility Invitational in Orlando, Florida.

“This was an exclusive invite event as they only invite the top five of each AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized breed,” Bols recalled. “Competing over three days against over 200 dogs in our jump height division, we not only earned our way into the finals, but we had the fastest time in the finals run, earning the title of AKC Agility Invitational 8-inch champion.”

Kermit also has been featured on the cover of “Clean Run” magazine, an agility sport specific publication.

“Competing at the international level requires high levels of teamwork and focus for dog and handler,” said friend Susan Fay Flowers of Bradenton, Florida. “And this has to happen at blistering speed. This connection is amazing to watch.

“Stacy and Kermit exemplify the teamwork needed to excel on these tough courses. Kermit has the heart of a lion in that small body. They are crowd favorites when they run.”

Dogs and their handlers

Bols said it is important for the handler to celebrate with their dog following the competition, no matter the outcome.

“They are always giving us 100% and this is something that we ask them to do. If something goes wrong it’s always due to the handler’s mistake,” she said. “The bond this sport creates between the dog and handler is unlike anything else. They are in tune with every emotion so I — no matter the outcome — celebrate with Kermit, rewarding her with her squeaky ball, her favorite toy, and some of her favorite treats and tell how happy I am with her and love that she played the game with me.”

In the end, Bols said it isn’t the outcome that matters most to the dogs. It is performing alongside the person they love most.

“We both tried our best and the dogs don’t care if the run was clean or not, they don’t care if we finished first or last,” she said. “They just love us and playing the game together.”

Beloved pet

Along with being her competition partner, Kermit is most of all Bols’ beloved pet, Allen noted. It is from that bond that they find competitive success, said friend Roxanne Godsey of Dallas.

“Stacy and Kermit play with a purpose,” Godsey said. “She has created a strong bond of trust that tells Kermit, ‘Let’s try this! It will be fun!’

“So, every time they enter a ring, Kermit is ready to play. That kind of bond can’t help but be successful.”

“Yes, the game is a big part of who Stacy and Kermit are, but above all, this little dog is a treasured pet, as pampered and loved as she is trained,” Allen said. “Kermit is as happy curled up in a blanket on Stacy’s lap as she is showing her stuff on the course.”