About Debby Funk
Not only was Debby born in this Illinois city, but she also learned to swim in Champaigne. That might explain the agility courses she designs. But then she grew up in the nice stable environment of Indiana and even went to college there, majoring in music education.
She received a Master's Degree in string pedagogy, (the art of teaching how to play stringed instruments) from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She now makes her living teaching private violin lessons.
Debby started in dog agility years before AKC got involved. There was a local venue called AAAI, American Agility Association, Inc. It was slow paced and included the unusual obstacles currently used in UKC agility. She judged in AAAI but switched over to AKC agility as soon as it became available. She participated in the first AKC trials given in Colorado, in 1998. She became more active in the sport, teaching classes in her local park department, becoming a secretary for her agility club, Mile High Agility Club of Boulder; and finally becoming an AKC agility judge in 2003.
Debby has Yorkshire terriers, one of the great agility breeds—but don't spread that around. It's a secret. Percy was her first dog and competed to the top levels of AAAI. He did have to cheat to earn his highest title by putting his feet on the first bar of the triple for extra lift. But what the judge doesn't see… Gwendolyn competed in AAAI, UKC, and AKC agility. She achieved her MX but had to retire before finishing her MXJ. She also acquired her CD in obedience but thought heeling was boring compared to agility. Mickey has gone the farthest. He has his GR-ACH title in UKC, some Elite titles in NADAC, and currently competes in DOCNA and Teacup agility. In AKC he is working on his MACH 2 but has many points to go. And finally, Mini. She is truly gifted at keeping the secret about Yorkies being great agility dogs. She runs like the wind in practice, but slinks around the ring at trials, pretending she hates it all.
Debby had a good early association with beagles, the dog next door during her school years was a beagle named Joey. To all participants at the National specialty in Estes Park, she hopes you enjoy the wonderful outdoors that the Rocky Mountains has to offer you and your canine companions. Clean runs to all.