The dog goes bounding across the grass and stops for a sniff.

He roughhouses with a doggie friend.

Ann and Tom Bavaria of Weisenberg Township believe a dog can act like a dog and still be a top show dog.

Their dog, Platinum Grand Champion CR Wicca's Trade Secret, called Trader, recently placed at the top of his breed, Akita, and was in third place in the working group at the prestigious Westminster show.

The couple, who bought Trader when he was 9 months old, soon showed him at the Lehigh Valley Kennel Club.

He had little socialization but he has come a long way, Ann Bavaria said.

Dogs are divided into seven groups – herding, working, toy, nonsport, sport, hound and terrier– by the American Kennel Club.

In the working group, where Trader shows, there are 28 breeds.

Since beginning showing Trader, who is entered in 130 shows a year, has earned 18 Best in Show awards.

Trader, who will be 7, is headed for retirement at the end of the show season and Bavaria said they would like to see him beat the record of 30 Best in Show placings for male Akitas.

"It's hard to get a Best in Show but he did it last Sunday (March 9) in Harrisonburg, Va.," Ann said.

The Bavarias travel up and down the Northeast Coast but in 2013 they flew to Denver, Colo., where Trader won the Akita National.

Bavaria said there is a breed show for each breed registered with the AKC.

There were two shows on Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednesday the top 20 compete.

Men and women are in formal dress.

There are three judges for each dog. On the same night, the Peoples' Choice award is presented.

There were 250 Akitas entered and on Saturday night Trader won.

"We were so thrilled, we ran an ad, 'Trader sweeps the National,'" Bavaria said.

He was the only dog to have done that.

Trader's handler, Heather Bremmer of Blandon, began as a teen showing ponies and then became a junior handler for dogs.

She also babysat Ann and Tom's son.

"We go to all Trader's shows," Bavaria said. "A lot of owners send their dogs with a trainer and seldom see them.

"It's funny. A lot of people condition their dogs on treadmills or swim therapy. We just turn Trader loose with other dogs and let them play.

"We focus on his coat. It is necessary as a Northern dog needs a heavy coat.

"ProPlan Sport is known to help dogs grow and hold a coat, but every breeder has different ideas. He gets oil supplements."

Northern breeds such as the Akita tend to shed completely, but Trader never has.

Bavaria said they have a professional grooming set-up in the basement.

After his weekly bathing, he is blow dried to fluff his coat.

He doesn't need a lot of attention but his nails have to be kept short.

"We've been show breeding for 25 years," Bavaria said. "If you're lucky, you get a dog like him once in a lifetime.

"I doubt we'll ever get one as good again. "Trader has been used for breeding and has a litter on the ground in Texas. He will continue to breed during retirement."